India's aviation sector remains robust but external pressures pose the biggest risks for growth, according to the CEO of Vistara Airlines. Aviation demand in India is "still progressive" and headed in a positive direction, Vinod Kannan told CNBC in an exclusive interview. However, factors such as fuel costs as well as the strong U.S. dollar could impact growth, he added. The domestic air passenger traffic in India in the financial year ended March 2024 is estimated to stand at $154 million — up about 13% year-on-year, according to credit rating agency ICRA. "Outlook on the Indian aviation industry is stable, amid the continued recovery in domestic and international air passenger traffic, and relatively stable cost environment and expectations of the trend continuing in fiscal year 2024-25," it said.

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Persons: Vinod Kannan, CNBC's, Brent Organizations: Vistara Airlines, Aviation, CNBC, U.S, CNBC's Sri Locations: India