Synopsis
IndiGo briefly surpassed Delta Airlines to become the world's most valuable airline, with a market capitalisation of $23.24 billion. The airline leads the Indian market and is among the fastest-growing globally in seat capacity and flight frequency.Key Takeaways
- IndiGo briefly became the world's most valuable airline.
- Market cap reached $23.24 billion before falling below Delta.
- 62% market share in India.
- Second fastest growing airline in seat capacity.
- Plans for international expansion and low-cost long-haul services.
New Delhi, April 10 (NationPress) India's largest airline, IndiGo, briefly surpassed US-based Delta Airlines to claim the title of the world's most valuable airline with a market capitalisation of $23.24 billion, according to Bloomberg data.
On Wednesday, IndiGo's stock price peaked at Rs 5,265, elevating the airline's market cap above Delta's $23.18 billion. However, this advantage was short-lived; by the end of the trading day, IndiGo's valuation fell to $23.16 billion, placing it just below Delta.
As of Thursday morning, IndiGo shares were trading at Rs 5,149.9 on the National Stock Exchange. The airline's stocks have surged by approximately 13 percent this year, despite the broader Indian market experiencing a downturn due to external factors.
IndiGo currently dominates the Indian market with a 62 percent share.
The airline has also been identified as the world’s second fastest growing airline in terms of seat capacity, which rose by 10.1 percent year-on-year, reaching over 134.9 million seats in 2024. IndiGo ranks just behind Qatar Airways, which achieved a 10.4 percent growth in seat capacity over the previous year, as per the latest data from the Official Airline Guide (OAG).
IndiGo has been recognized as the fastest-growing airline globally regarding flight frequency, with a growth rate of 9.7 percent year-on-year in 2024. The airline recorded a flight frequency of 749,156 for the year, according to the data.
OAG has also noted that IndiGo has one of the largest aircraft orders globally, with over 900 aircraft on order, and was the largest recipient of 58 new Airbus aircraft in 2024. However, it also reported that approximately 80 aircraft remain inactive due to MRO-related supply chain challenges.
While 88 percent of IndiGo's capacity is dedicated to domestic routes, the airline's strategy includes significant international growth, with plans for expansion focused on regional Middle Eastern markets and Thailand in 2024.
IndiGo's long-term goals involve developing low-cost long-haul services, with indications that the airline may expedite plans to launch with wet lease aircraft identified for 2025.
In the Oct-Dec quarter of the current financial year ending March 31, 2025, IndiGo reported a net profit of Rs 2,449 crore, representing an 18 percent decline compared to the same period last year. However, operational revenue increased by 14 percent to Rs 22,111 crore during the quarter.
IndiGo's total income for the quarter was Rs 22,992.8 crore, marking a 14.6 percent increase year-on-year.
The airline's total expenses for the quarter amounted to Rs 20,465.7 crore, reflecting a 19.9 percent increase from the previous year.
IndiGo's Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) saw a minor increase of 0.7 percent year-on-year, totaling Rs 5,178.6 crore.
IndiGo's load factor for the quarter was recorded at 86.9 percent, which surpassed the 85.8 percent from the same period last year.
