This week, IndiGo, India’s low-cost airline, made headlines by briefly overtaking industry titans like Delta Air Lines and Ryanair to become the world’s most valuable airline in terms of market capitalization. With its stock soaring by 13% this year, IndiGo’s market cap has reached an impressive ₹2 lakh crore (approximately $23.3 billion). On Wednesday, the stock closed nearly 1% higher, showcasing resilience even as the broader market struggled, reflected by a 6% decline in the Nifty index year-to-date due to tariff uncertainties.

IndiGo’s Market Dominance

In the competitive landscape of India’s domestic aviation market, IndiGo maintains a commanding presence, holding over 60% of the market share. The airline is not just resting on its laurels; it is actively pursuing international expansion. Recent communications with analysts revealed that IndiGo aims for its international operations to represent 40% of its available seat kilometers (ASK) by FY30, up from an estimated 28% in FY25.

Fleet Expansion Plans

To facilitate this ambitious growth strategy, IndiGo plans to introduce around 50 new aircraft to its fleet in FY26, which currently consists of 439 planes—though it is worth noting that 50 of these are currently not in service. The management has set its sights on achieving a robust double-digit growth in ASK for the upcoming fiscal year, further solidifying its market position.

Q3 Financial Performance

IndiGo’s parent company, InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, reported a net profit of ₹2,449 crore for Q3 FY25, reflecting an 18% decrease from ₹2,998 crore during the same period last year. Interestingly, this drop occurred despite strong air travel demand, primarily due to the absence of the festive season that boosted profits in the previous year.

Revenue Growth Insights

Despite the profit decline, InterGlobe Aviation showcased a 14% year-on-year revenue increase for Q3, totaling ₹22,111 crore, compared to ₹19,452 crore in the prior year. This growth was bolstered by a 12% rise in ASK and a 13.5% increase in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK). Additionally, the load factor improved by 1.2 percentage points, reaching 86.9%, highlighting the airline’s operational efficiency.

In summary, IndiGo continues to strengthen its foothold in the aviation industry, navigating market challenges while aiming for substantial international growth. The airline’s strategic plans and solid financial performance position it well for the future, making it a noteworthy player in the global airline sector.