Airfares have surged sharply ahead of Diwali, as airlines across the country have increased ticket prices due to high demand. On some routes, fares have gone up nearly three times the normal rate, yet almost 80 percent of the seats are already booked for the festive period.
Normally, the airfare from Delhi to Nagpur ranges between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000, but during Diwali, the ticket price has soared to ₹13,000. For example, IndiGo’s non-stop flight on October 18 is priced at ₹8,172, while Air India’s fare for the same route has reached ₹13,000. Despite the steep increase, most flights are already running near full capacity.
Many passengers traveling home for Diwali have started booking their tickets well in advance. The increased demand for travel during the festival season has led airlines to raise fares significantly. Though the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has advised airlines to keep fares reasonable, the prices on key routes continue to remain high due to the surge in demand.
The demand for domestic routes such as Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru has grown considerably. For instance, fares on the Nagpur–Mumbai route, which usually range between ₹2,500 and ₹4,000, have gone up to ₹8,000. Similarly, the Nagpur–Delhi route, normally priced between ₹4,000 and ₹6,000, is now between ₹10,000 and ₹15,000. Nagpur–Pune and Nagpur–Hyderabad tickets, which earlier cost ₹3,000 to ₹6,000, have also climbed to ₹10,000–₹15,000. Even Nagpur–Bengaluru flights that used to cost ₹5,000–₹7,000 are now priced up to ₹12,000.
Travel industry experts say this seasonal trend repeats every year during Diwali. As most passengers prefer to confirm their bookings early, ticket prices shoot up closer to the festival. Despite the steep rise, flight occupancy remains high as people are eager to travel home for the celebrations.
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