Premium class travel bookings in India have soared by 20 pc, supporting the growth in business travel, says business travel management firm FCM India, citing latest data on flight bookings, released. FCM adds that India is set to become the 7th largest business travel market in the world.

More Indians are now opting for premium class travel bookings, which have increased by 20 pc in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from FCM Travel, corporate travel division of Flight Centre Travel Group.

According to a press statement by FCM Travel India, conglomerates, manufacturing and IT sectors, just to name a few, have been consistently travelling for business growth, both domestically and internationally.

“India is soon going to be the 7th largest business travel market in the world and the aviation boom in India is most certainly supporting the growth in business travel. Business travellers are now more willing to spend a little extra for a premium experience which has led to a demand for both premium and business class travel,” says Sunny Sodhi, Managing Director, FCM Travel India.

“Domestic air capacity has increased more than 3 pc but due to the demand in travel, we have seen average ticket prices increase by 9 pc which is attributed to a much stronger economic growth and a general increase in demand for travel. Popular domestic routes for business travel include Delhi to Mumbai, Mumbai to Delhi and Bangalore to Mumbai,” adds Sodhi.

“International air capacity has also increased by 14 pc due to India’s growing aviation sector hence, however, average international airfares have softened by 15 pc which is a general global trend of yields decreasing across airfares,” adds Sodhi.