New Delhi, June 1 -- Indian domestic aviation recorded only 13,814,816 passengers in April, a drop of over 3% compared to April last year, as the West Asia war and financial headwinds kept passengers in a "wait-and-watch" mode. This was also the lowest monthly passenger count of 2026, erasing all gains made in January and February.

The first four months of 2026 have kept air traffic largely flat compared to last year, with the possibility of further downside as the industry enters the lean months of June, July, and August, during which airlines have curtailed capacity. Departures were already down 2% in April compared to the same month last year.

Even as the market shrank, IndiGo gained market share, climbing back to 65% (up 1.7 percent...