India’s strategic “Act East” policy is significantly bolstering air connectivity with Southeast Asian nations, leading to an unprecedented surge in flights and passenger traffic. This renewed focus on economic ties, defence cooperation, and crucial people-to-people connections is transforming regional integration, facilitating trade, and fostering cultural exchange. The enhanced air links are pivotal for India’s geopolitical and economic aspirations, contributing to a more interconnected and equitably developed Asian landscape.
The evolution from a “Look East” to an “Act East” policy in 2014 has profoundly impacted the aviation sector, with both Indian and foreign carriers capitalising on the burgeoning demand. Data from aviation analytics firm Cirium reveals a remarkable leap in connectivity since pre-COVID times. This growth has been partly fuelled by ASEAN nations’ proactive measures, such as offering visa incentives for Indian travellers, seeking to diversify their tourism markets following global travel disruptions. This strategic shift by host nations has created fertile ground for increased air traffic.
Previously underserved or unconnected ASEAN nations are now directly linked to India. Royal Brunei operates thrice-weekly services to Chennai, while Air Cambodia flies twice a week to Delhi. Air India is poised to launch flights to Manila in September, leaving Laos as the sole ASEAN nation without direct air connectivity. This expansion into new markets signifies a broadening of India’s aviation footprint and creates new avenues for trade, investment, and cultural exchange, fostering more inclusive regional development.
The India-Vietnam sector has witnessed exceptional growth, escalating from just 21 weekly flights in December 2019 to 82 weekly flights currently. While Vietnamese carriers dominate this route, operating 61 flights to various Indian cities, Indian carriers IndiGo and Air India contribute 21 weekly frequencies. Conversely, the India-Indonesia market presents an opposite trend, with Indian carriers IndiGo and Air India holding a strong presence with 21 weekly frequencies to Jakarta and Bali, following the withdrawal of Indonesian carriers post-COVID. This dynamic interplay highlights the competitive landscape and strategic positioning of airlines in key growth markets.
Established markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand continue to be significant, albeit with varying dynamics. The India-Malaysia market has seen a slight adjustment, with IndiGo diversifying its routes to Penang and Langkawi, while Air India has re-entered Kuala Lumpur. The India-Singapore market has experienced a modest slump in capacity, with both Indian and Singaporean carriers adjusting their frequencies. Thailand, however, has emerged as the biggest gainer in terms of seats, with a 10% growth in connectivity and new routes connecting tier-2 Indian cities like Surat, Pune, and Bhubaneswar to Bangkok, along with direct flights to popular tourist destinations like Krabi and Phuket.
The increased people-to-people connect is largely driven by the affordability and accessibility of these new and expanded routes, making destinations like Krabi, Phuket, Langkawi, Penang, and Bali more attainable for Indian tourists. This strategic dependence on Indian tourism by Southeast Asian economies bodes well for India’s overall influence and economic ties in the region. The sustained growth in international traffic, predominantly driven by Indian outbound travellers, underscores the importance of this connectivity in strengthening bilateral relations and fostering a more integrated and prosperous Indo-Pacific region, which is crucial for building resilient and interconnected global cities.
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