- KR Bharat
- 2025-12-14
Indian aviation’s journey reflects a bold dream tempered by hard realities. From the landmark 1994 deregulation that ended the state-run duopoly to the rise of low-cost carriers, the sector promised to make flying accessible to the common citizen — captured famously in the line that “even a person in Hawai chappal can fly.” Pioneered by Air Deccan, this vision transformed air travel and created millions of first-time flyers.
However, rapid expansion, fare wars, weak infrastructure, skill shortages, and mounting costs exposed deep structural flaws. As airlines chased market share over profitability, the industry remained vulnerable to economic shocks and operational stress. The recent troubles at IndiGo have once again highlighted how fragile this mass-aviation dream remains, underscoring the need for sustainable growth, stronger systems, and long-term policy support.
