India is now the 4th largest aviation market in the world

As per data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India has moved two places up to become the fourth largest aviation market in terms of number of passengers.

In 2016, India’s aviation industry had 13.1 crore passengers taking off - including domestic, international and connecting. During this period, IATA data shows that 380 crore passengers took off (half domestic, 35% international and 15% connecting) across the globe, up from 350 crore in the previous year.

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India is still behind US, China and Japan like previous years, but overtook Brazil and UK.

"The big movers on this year's rankings are the key emerging markets of India and Indonesia. India has jumped up two places to the fourth ranking with 13.1 crore departures in 2016 and, with growth of 20% year-on-year, continues to close in fast on Japan. Just three years ago India held the eighth ranking," said IATA.

Indonesia now stands at the sixth spot, up from last year’s eighth.

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If the trend continues, India will soon beat Japan to take over the third spot.

(Image source Indian Aviation Charters and Services company)