The Soaring Cost of Festive Flights
Travellers across India are facing a sharp rise in air ticket prices ahead of the busy festive season, which includes Dussehra, Diwali, and Christmas. On some popular domestic routes, one-way fares have reportedly surged past ₹20,000, with some prices more
than doubling compared to normal periods. For instance, tickets on routes like Mumbai-Kolkata that might typically cost around ₹7,000 have been seen approaching ₹15,000. Similarly, a Pune to Bengaluru flight that usually costs about ₹5,000 was reported to be priced between ₹8,000 and ₹10,000. The pinch is being felt on both major metro connections and routes to smaller towns, forcing some would-be travellers to postpone or even cancel their journeys.
Why Are Airfares Climbing So Sharply?
A combination of factors is creating this perfect storm for high ticket prices. The primary driver is a sharp increase in the cost of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), which makes up nearly 40% of an airline's operating expenses. Recent geopolitical tensions and supply chain issues have caused ATF prices to reach their highest levels in years. To offset this, major airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air have recently increased their fuel surcharges, directly passing a portion of the extra cost to passengers. This is happening just as travel demand peaks for the festive season. Furthermore, some reports indicate a slight reduction in the number of scheduled domestic flights compared to last year, which limits the availability of seats on high-demand routes and pushes prices up further through dynamic pricing.
Key Routes Feeling the Squeeze
While fares are rising across the board, some routes are experiencing more turbulence than others. Kolkata-bound flights from Mumbai and Bengaluru have seen steep increases ahead of Durga Puja. The traditionally busy corridors like Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Bengaluru are also seeing significantly higher prices. Routes connecting major cities to Patna and other towns in Bihar and UP are also under pressure ahead of Chhath Puja. In a striking comparison, some domestic one-way tickets from Hyderabad to cities like Patna and Chandigarh have been priced around ₹22,000, reportedly making it cheaper to fly to international destinations like Singapore or Bangkok on the same dates.
Smart Strategies for Peak-Season Travel
While the high prices are frustrating, all is not lost. With some strategic planning, it's still possible to manage your travel budget. The most effective strategy remains booking well in advance. For peak season travel, experts often recommend booking flights anywhere from 45 to 75 days before your departure date to secure more reasonable fares. If your travel dates are flexible, even by a day or two, you can often find significant price differences. Flying mid-week is generally cheaper than on weekends. Also, consider early morning or late-night flights, which tend to have lower demand and thus, lower prices. Using flight comparison websites is essential to ensure you are seeing all available options and can grab the best deal when it appears.
