More Indian passengers are opting for direct international flights to their destinations, based on new data. This comes as Australia is introducing an easier ballot system for Indian nationals applying for the Work and Holiday Visa 2024-25 program year.

Aviation consultancy firm OAG compared data from 2019 with 2023, and found that even though India’s international air traffic last year was 600,000 less than 2019, the number of passengers flying directly to their destination increased by 2 million, according to a Skift report. On the other hand, passengers making indirect trips declined by 2.5 million.

OAG attributed the growth to more international flights by IndiGo and Air India, along with the introduction of international connectivity by new Indian carrier Akasa. More international airlines operating the Indian market have also led to increased direct connectivity and more options for Indian travellers.

Air India CEO Campbell Wilson made a case for direct connectivity at both the CAPA Summit in Brisbane last week and the Skift India Summit in March this year.

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An increase in the number of Indians travelling to Australia will be helped by a ballot system for nationals of three countries, including India, who are applying for the Work and Holiday Visa 2024-25 program year. The system is being introduced to manage the high demand Australia is receiving from these countries.

But a recent Federal Government cap on international student enrolments and the introduction of higher English proficiency requirements to curb net migration and fraud in the industry has also hit Indian visitor numbers, including those family visiting students studying in Australia.

The Work and Holiday Visa is meant for those aged 18-30 who can stay in Australia and work in the country. Those with the visa can continue to work and stay for a year, and then renew it two more times if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

First-time applicants for the new Australian visa need to register through the ballot system, which will then randomly select applicants for the visa process. The ballot system will not impact current and previous holders of the visa.

Australia agreed to offer 1,000 Work and Holiday Visas every year to Indian nationals under the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, which came into effect in 2022.

The new tourist visa application process has also eliminated the need for Indian travellers to submit their passports, making the process simpler and more transparent for applicants.

India’s largest carrier IndiGo, which recently placed its first-ever order for widebody aircraft, plans to offer nonstop connectivity from major Indian airports to global destinations. Air India CEO Wilson said the carrier had 470 aircraft on order and was receiving one plane very six days.

Feature image: An Air India 787 Dreamliner getting ready to depart. Photo: iStock – Yatrik Sheth