The Government’s Stance on Festive Fares
This year, Indian travellers will navigate the busy October and November festive season without the safety net of government-imposed airfare caps. On September 22, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu confirmed the government will not intervene to set
price ceilings. Instead, officials have stated they will advise airlines to keep pricing at a “reasonable level”. This decision places the power of pricing firmly in the hands of airlines, which are grappling with their own economic pressures, including rising fuel costs.
A Perfect Storm for Higher Prices
Several factors are converging to create a scenario of potentially high ticket prices. The primary driver is the classic economic principle of supply and demand. The festive period, which includes major holidays like Diwali on November 8, sees a massive surge in travel as people head home to celebrate with family. Domestic air passenger traffic typically jumps by 18-25% during the two-week Diwali window. Compounding this is the recent rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) costs. Fuel can account for 40-43% of an airline's operating expenses, and recent price hikes mean airlines are likely to pass at least a portion of this increased cost on to passengers to protect their profitability.
Which Routes Will Be Most Affected?
Historically, the sharpest price increases are seen on high-demand routes. These typically include flights connecting major metropolitan hubs to hometowns in other states. Routes like Bengaluru to Kolkata, Bengaluru to Patna, and Mumbai to Lucknow are known to experience significant fare spikes during the festive season. Similarly, popular tourist destinations also see a jump in demand as people take advantage of the holiday period for leisure travel. While airlines have the freedom to set fares, the lack of a cap means last-minute tickets on these key routes could be substantially more expensive than usual, potentially costing two to three times the standard fare.
Your Game Plan: How to Book Smartly
In a market without price caps, planning is your best defence against exorbitant fares. The most effective strategy is to book your tickets well in advance. Travel experts suggest that the sweet spot for booking Diwali flights is between 60 and 90 days before your travel date, which for this year was between early August and mid-September. If you haven't booked yet, acting quickly is crucial as prices tend to rise sharply within the last 30 days. Being flexible with your travel dates by even a day or two can also lead to significant savings. Using fare comparison websites and setting up price alerts for your desired route can help you grab a deal if one becomes available. Consider flying on the day of Diwali itself, as fares can be 20-40% cheaper than on the days immediately preceding the festival.
Consider All Your Options
Beyond just being flexible with dates, think about alternative airports or even different modes of transport. Sometimes, flying into a nearby, smaller airport and completing the journey by road can be more economical than flying directly to a major hub. When booking, it’s also worth comparing the cost of two one-way tickets on different airlines versus a standard round-trip booking, as this can sometimes yield a lower total price during peak seasons. As you plan, remember that new passenger rights rules from the DGCA, effective from March 2026, offer a 48-hour free cancellation window on bookings made directly with airlines, provided the flight is more than seven days away. This gives you a brief period to lock in a fare while you confirm your plans.
