Flight cancellations, reduced frequencies and steep airfares have thrown travel plans into disarray for thousands of passengers travelling from Nagpur to Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru after the summer break, with students among the worst affected.
The Nagpur-Mumbai sector has witnessed the sharpest impact. Economy fares on direct IndiGo flights for mid-June have surged to nearly ₹6,600, significantly higher than the usual ₹4,000 range. Most direct Air India services on the route remain suspended, forcing passengers to rely on connecting flights with lengthy layovers, some costing over ₹14,000.
Connectivity to Pune has also taken a hit, with only two direct flights operating daily. Several alternate options involve layovers extending up to 10 hours, causing inconvenience to regular travellers.
The situation is equally difficult for passengers heading to Bengaluru. The only operational direct Air India flight on the route is already fully booked, while connecting flights via Delhi are priced between ₹15,000 and ₹30,000.
The disruption has pushed many travellers to explore other modes of transport. Students returning to colleges after vacations said the sudden fare spike has created uncertainty and stress.
“Usually, taking a flight between Nagpur and Mumbai is convenient and affordable, but prices have increased sharply. With colleges reopening simultaneously, getting confirmed train seats is also becoming difficult,” said Rakshit Chotani, a law student studying in Mumbai.
Akhilesh Deotale, a management student in Bengaluru, said the current fares were unaffordable for most students and young professionals.
“Direct flights are either unavailable or fully booked. Spending ₹15,000 to ₹30,000 on a one-way journey is simply not viable,” he said.
Travel operators said the disruption has also affected tourism and holiday bookings. Nagpur-based travel agent Vijay Sawarkar said rising fares and lack of availability were discouraging travellers despite the demand.
“Even trains are full. Customers are willing to pay more, but tickets are simply unavailable,” he said.
With the Samruddhi Expressway now operational and premium rail services such as Vande Bharat and Duronto offering faster connectivity, many passengers are increasingly turning to road and rail transport as more dependable alternatives amid fluctuating airline schedules and soaring ticket prices.
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