Post by : Rameen Ariff

As India’s aviation network transitions into the Winter 2025 schedule, airlines are adjusting routes and capacities to meet shifting travel demands. From the shortest hop between Trichy and Jaffna to the epic San Francisco-Kolkata journey, this season’s flight lineup highlights the incredible range of India’s domestic and international air connectivity.

Domestic Flights: Port Blair Tops the Charts

Port Blair, the gateway to the Andaman Islands, has emerged as one of the busiest destinations this winter, witnessing a 20% surge in flight capacity. It also holds the distinction of hosting India’s longest domestic flight — the Delhi-Port Blair route, stretching 2,481 km.

Air India and its low-cost arm, Air India Express, dominate this sector with 21 weekly flights — 14 by Air India and 7 by Air India Express. Interestingly, IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, does not operate on this route, making it an Air India stronghold.

Shortest Domestic Route: Alliance Air Leads

At the other end of the spectrum, the shortest domestic flight in India this winter is between Diu and Keshod, operated by Alliance Air, the only government-owned airline. Covering just 95 km in 30 minutes, this route operates three times a week and falls under the RCS-UDAN scheme, which connects remote regions through affordable air services.

For Air India, the shortest domestic flight remains Delhi–Dehradun, while IndiGo’s shortest ATR route is Kochi–Kozhikode (119 km). The carrier’s shortest Airbus flight is the Jammu–Srinagar sector, just 145 km apart, flown 20 times weekly.

Regional Networks Expanding

Among regional operators, Star Air leads with its Belgaum–Jaipur service covering 1,220 km, the longest route among commuter airlines. Meanwhile, IndiaOne Air’s Vizag–Jeypore flight, spanning only 142 km, is the shortest regional connection in India.

Other regional players like Fly91, Flybig, and IndiaOne continue to expand connectivity with smaller aircraft such as Embraers, ATRs, Cessnas, and Twin Otters, boosting regional tourism and trade.

International Skies: From Trichy to San Francisco

On the international front, India showcases a remarkable range in route distances this season. The shortest international flight by an Indian carrier is between Trichy and Jaffna, operated by IndiGo using the ATR 72-600. This short cross-border hop connects southern India to northern Sri Lanka, strengthening cultural and business ties.

In contrast, Air India’s San Francisco–Kolkata leg, part of the San Francisco–Bengaluru route, stands as India’s longest international flight, covering an astonishing 12,594 km. The technical stop in Kolkata is a result of the ongoing airspace closure over Pakistan.

If technical halts are excluded, Air India’s Mumbai–Newark flight, spanning 12,560 km, claims the top spot as the longest nonstop international route by an Indian airline.

Among foreign carriers, United Airlines leads the list with its Newark–Delhi service, stretching 11,783 km, making it the longest international route operated by a foreign airline into India.

Aviation on the Rise

India’s aviation sector continues to grow rapidly, driven by the expanding operations of Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and regional carriers. With the winter schedule now active, travelers can expect increased frequencies, enhanced regional connectivity, and more options for both short hops and long-haul journeys.

From Diu to San Francisco, India’s flight map this winter perfectly captures the diversity and dynamism of the nation’s modern air network — connecting every corner, near or far, with precision and purpose.

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