Airlines are gearing up for a surge in winter travel as both domestic and international demand rises. The season traditionally sees higher passenger volumes driven by holidays, tourism, and festivals.
To meet this demand, several carriers are expanding capacity, adding new routes, and increasing flight frequencies to popular leisure and pilgrimage destinations across India and abroad.
Low-cost carrier SpiceJet has announced a major network expansion for Winter 2025, with plans to operate 250 daily flights, marking a 100% increase over its Summer 2025 schedule and a significant leap from the 150 daily flights it operated last winter.
The expanded schedule, which started on October 26, will be introduced in phases, as the airline inducts 19 leased aircraft into its fleet over the coming weeks. Once these aircraft are operational, SpiceJet will reach its new peak of 250 daily flights.
SpiceJet will launch non-stop daily flights to Phuket from both Delhi and Mumbai, two of India’s busiest metros.
Winter Schedule
On the domestic front, SpiceJet is significantly enhancing metro connectivity.
Mumbai–Bengaluru will go twice daily from November 1 and November 15. A new Chennai–Bengaluru service will start from November 8. In addition, the airline is focusing on Rajasthan’s key winter destinations – Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jaisalmer – which are popular among tourists during the season. Kolkata–Jaipur and Kolkata–Udaipur routes will commence from October 31. Jaipur–Guwahati and Jaipur–Mumbai flights begin from November 7, with Mumbai–Jaipur operating twice daily. Udaipur gains new links to Mumbai and Delhi from November 7, while Jaisalmer will connect to Delhi from November 15.
SpiceJet continues to strengthen connectivity to India’s religious and cultural hubs. Ayodhya will be served by daily flights from Delhi and Ahmedabad, with new routes from Mumbai (October 26) and Hyderabad (November 6). Varanasi will gain links to Pune (October 26) and Hyderabad (November 6).
Further connectivity enhancements include Patna–Hyderabad and Patna–Ahmedabad (October 26), and Patna–Chennai (November 8). Also, Kolkata–Ahmedabad and Kolkata–Chennai (October 26), with a second daily Chennai service from November 6. A new Ahmedabad–Chennai daily flight will commence November 27.
What does this mean for travellers?
The move is expected to make leisure travel to Southeast Asia more accessible and strengthen SpiceJet’s presence in short-haul international routes. More flights in the winter schedule mean greater choice and flexibility for fliers.
With airlines adding capacity and routes, passengers can expect better connectivity between metros, regional hubs, and tourist destinations. The increase in flights may also help stabilise or lower airfares, especially on popular routes, while reducing layovers and making holiday travel more convenient.
Meanwhile, with its winter expansion, SpiceJet is positioning itself for sustained recovery and long-term growth.
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