Festive Fare Frenzy
The anticipation of Holi has triggered a massive surge in airfares across numerous domestic travel corridors. Demand for flights has peaked significantly
as individuals plan to travel home for the festival of colours. This surge is particularly pronounced on routes connecting major metropolitan areas like New Delhi and Bengaluru to cities such as Gorakhpur and Patna. In some instances, ticket prices have escalated by an astonishing 185% compared to rates observed later in the season. The weekend preceding Holi has seen one-way fares on certain sectors soaring to nearly Rs 20,000. For example, a flight from Bengaluru to Gorakhpur on February 28 was priced at an eye-watering Rs 19,589, demonstrating the extreme impact of this festive demand on travel costs for many families and migrant workers.
The Price Hike Phenomenon
The dramatic increase in airfares before Holi is a recurring pattern, reflecting the interplay of peak demand and airline pricing strategies. Airlines employ dynamic pricing models, which means fares increase as seats fill up and the travel date draws nearer. This effect is amplified on routes with limited flight options. For instance, the Bengaluru to Gorakhpur route, which sees a fare of Rs 19,589 for February 28, drops to approximately Rs 7,000 a month later, marking a significant 158% difference. Similar sharp increases are evident on routes linking metros like New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai to cities in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. By March 28, after the Holi rush subsides, fares typically return to more moderate levels across these sectors.
Routes Experiencing Surges
Several key routes have witnessed substantial fare hikes leading up to Holi. The New Delhi to Patna sector exemplifies this trend, with a flight priced at Rs 11,056 for February 28, drastically higher than the Rs 4,502 fare available on March 28. This represents a nearly 145% increase, driven by heavy inbound travel to Patna during the festival. Similarly, the New Delhi-Gaya route shows a more than 160% price gap between the peak Holi travel date and the subsequent month. Other routes to Bihar, including New Delhi-Darbhanga and New Delhi-Purnea, also show similar fare escalations. Bengaluru to Patna flights saw a more than 100% jump, from Rs 15,585 on February 28 to Rs 7,500 on March 28. Even popular destinations like Kolkata are affected, with New Delhi-Kolkata fares nearly doubling for the pre-Holi date, rising from Rs 4,799 in late March to Rs 9,989 for travel just before the festival.
Peak Prices & Alternatives
The peak travel season around Holi is characterized by exorbitant ticket prices, with some routes nearing the Rs 20,000 mark. The Bengaluru-Gorakhpur route, mentioned earlier at Rs 19,589, is a prime example. Additionally, the Mumbai to Prayagraj sector saw fares jump by 146%, from Rs 6,588 in late March to Rs 16,188 for travel just before Holi. The New Delhi-Gorakhpur route experienced a difference of nearly 185%, with fares dropping from Rs 8,563 to Rs 2,999. These inflated prices pose a significant challenge for many, especially those on a tighter budget. With trains often fully booked and facing reservation cancellations, air travel becomes the only feasible option, despite the steep costs. Early booking is consistently advised as the primary strategy to mitigate these festive season fare hikes, offering a potential hedge against the premium prices faced by last-minute travelers.
