Bengaluru emerges as pet travel hub on Akasa Air routes

Bengaluru is establishing itself as a key market for pet air travel, with passengers from the city accounting for over 30 per cent of all pet journeys on Akasa Air, the carrier's data reveals. The finding underscores the city's status as a centre for pet ownership and indicates a broader shift in Indian aviation toward accommodating pets as passengers. Akasa Air's pet-friendly policies have resonated particularly strongly with Bengaluru's urban demographic, where pet ownership has seen considerable growth in recent years. The carrier's focus on providing accessible pet travel services appears to have tapped into a previously underserved segment of the travelling public, with many pet owners previously reluctant to fly due to concerns about their animals' welfare during air journeys. The concentration of pet travel from Bengaluru suggests that tier-one cities with higher disposable incomes and pet ownership rates represent a significant revenue opportunity for Indian carriers willing to invest in pet accommodation infrastructure and services. As more airlines recognise this emerging market, pet-friendly policies are likely to become increasingly competitive among budget and full-service carriers operating in India.