Apart from the health care industry and individuals who are reaping the benefits of the rapid rise of weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, the aviation sector has emerged as one of the more unexpected beneficiaries.
According to a recent report by Jefferies, a global financial services firm, the four largest U.S. carriers — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines — could collectively save as much as $580 million annually in fuel costs, with weight-loss drugs playing a surprising role in these potential savings.
“It only makes sense that the weight of their passengers also impacts their costs,” said Sheila Kahyaoglu, an author of the study, to The New York Times.
Airlines have long been extremely vigilant about aircraft weight, as even marginal reductions can translate into meaningful cost savings. Fuel, being one of the aviation industry’s largest expenses, requires more for every additional pound, particularly on long-distance routes. Over time, even the smallest reduction in average passenger weight can have a visible impact on the operating costs of the airlines.
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With leading pharmaceutical companies aggressively rolling out GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) weight-loss drugs and the consumer base expanding rapidly due to their health benefits, it would not be surprising if major airlines quietly benefit from this trend.
India, too, has witnessed a rapid expansion in the availability and use of weight-loss drugs over the past year, with 2025 emerging as a breakout period for GLP-1–based therapies. Initially developed to treat type-2 diabetes, these medications are now being widely prescribed for obesity management amid rising awareness and demand.
In December 2025, Danish pharmaceutical major Novo Nordisk launched its type-2 diabetes treatment injection Ozempic in India as a once-weekly pen device, priced at a starting cost of around Rs 2,200 per week. Earlier in the year, Eli Lilly introduced Mounjaro (tirzepatide), which quickly became one of the country’s highest-selling prescription drugs.
However, the surge in demand has also triggered concerns. Medical experts have warned against unsupervised use, online sales, and cosmetic misuse of weight-loss injections. In response to growing global adoption, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued guidelines on the appropriate use of GLP-1 medicines for treating obesity.
Looking ahead, weight-loss drugs appear set to play an increasingly prominent role in India’s health care landscape in 2026.