As the Northern Summer Schedule 2025 began on March 30, Indian airlines introduced several network changes, including new routes, adjusted frequencies, and strategic expansions to meet growing passenger demand. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approved 25,610 weekly flights, while aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that 23,234 flights have been scheduled across airlines this April. Among these, the longest and shortest domestic routes in India stand out, reflecting the vast geographical diversity of the country.
The longest domestic flight this summer is the Port Blair to Delhi route, covering approximately 2,500 km with a flight duration of around 5 hours and 15 minutes. Operated by airlines like Air India and IndiGo, this route plays a crucial role in connecting the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the capital city, supporting both tourism and government travel. Another notably long flight is the Delhi to Thiruvananthapuram route, spanning nearly 2,230 km and taking approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, providing a key link between North and South India.
On the shorter end of the spectrum, the Jammu to Srinagar route is the shortest domestic flight in India this summer, covering just 140 km in about 25 minutes. This route, operated by multiple carriers including IndiGo and SpiceJet, offers a quick alternative to the often challenging road journey between the two cities in Jammu and Kashmir. Another short-haul flight is the Shimla to Chandigarh route, covering approximately 120 km in about 30 minutes. Operated under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, this flight significantly reduces travel time compared to the long road journey through hilly terrain.
With air travel demand steadily rising, airlines are fine-tuning their schedules to maximize efficiency and passenger convenience. While long-haul flights like Port Blair to Delhi continue to provide critical connectivity, shorter regional routes under the UDAN scheme enhance accessibility to remote and underserved areas. The summer season is expected to witness a surge in air traffic, with both long and short-haul flights playing a vital role in shaping India’s aviation landscape.
