India's domestic air passenger traffic rose by 8pc on the year but fell by 1pc on the month to 14.3mn in April, data from the Civil Aviation Ministry show.
Domestic air passenger traffic rose by nearly 10pc on the year to 57.5mn during January-April.
Domestic air travel serves as an indicator of jet fuel demand. Jet fuel demand in April rose by 4pc on the year to 202,000 b/d, oil ministry data show.
Indian state-controlled refiners cut jet fuel prices by 6pc from a month earlier in April. Prices in capital New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Chennai dropped to 89,441.18 rupees/kilolitre ($1,044/kl), Rs91,921.00/kl, Rs83,575.42/kl and Rs92,503.80/kl respectively. Fuel costs typically account for 30-40pc of airlines' expenses.
Military confrontations between India and Pakistan in May disrupted flights from and within India. Almost 32 airports in parts of northern and western India were briefly closed because of security concerns and border threats.
