India is the ninth largest aviation market in the world

New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) The government on Monday said the country has become the ninth largest civil aviation market in the world.

According to Minister of State (Civil Aviation) G.M. Siddeshwara, the passenger traffic in the country rose three-folds between 2006-2007 to 2011-12 fiscal from 72 million to over 220 million.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, the minister said that cargo handling capacity rose from 0.5 million metric tonnes (MT) to 3.3 million MT in the period under review.

"Connectivity to North East region also rose from 87 flights per week to 286 flights per week," the minister stated.

He said that during the 11th Five Year Plan period the fleet size of the domestic carriers has increased from around 200 to 430 aircraft.

"As per estimates given by the scheduled domestic operators in the country, airlines in India are expected to add around 370 aircraft to their fleet by financial year 2016-17," the minister added.