Domestic airfares have risen sharply ahead of the festive travel period, with routes served by a single airline recording some of the steepest increases as demand rises and available seats decline, according to a Moneycontrol report published on September 8.
Fares on several routes linking major metropolitan centres with regional destinations have increased by 50% to more than 150% compared with typical non-peak levels. The report said routes originating from Delhi and Mumbai have seen particularly sharp increases as passengers travel for Diwali, Durga Puja and other festive gatherings.
A non-stop economy ticket from Delhi to Patna, usually priced between Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,500, has crossed Rs 12,500 for peak travel dates, with last-minute direct fares exceeding Rs 13,500. The route connects the national capital with one of the country’s major regional and cultural centres.
The largest increases have been reported on routes with limited or no direct competition. Kolkata to Deoghar fares for Durga Puja travel have risen from about Rs 2,800 to Rs 12,500, a reported increase of 340%. Delhi to Agatti in Lakshadweep has climbed from approximately Rs 8,500 to Rs 25,000 over peak October holiday dates.
Other exclusive or capacity-constrained routes have shown similar movement. Bengaluru to Jharsuguda non-stop fares have risen from around Rs 4,200 to Rs 16,200 ahead of Diwali, while Mumbai to Bareilly tickets have increased from approximately Rs 4,500 to more than Rs 15,000. The report attributed the sharp increases on these corridors to dynamic pricing and the absence of direct competition.
Fares have also increased on heavily travelled trunk routes, although the reported rise has been less severe. Non-stop tickets from Delhi to Kolkata have crossed Rs 12,300 from a standard off-peak fare of about Rs 4,800. Delhi-Bengaluru fares have reached around Rs 10,000, while Delhi-Mumbai tickets are near Rs 7,000. The report placed the increase at about 15% on the Bengaluru route and 11% on the Mumbai route.
On the Mumbai-Kolkata sector, where typical non-stop off-peak fares range from Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,500, prices during peak Puja dates have risen to between Rs 11,500 and Rs 14,200. The reported increase is between 100% and 135%.
Travel platforms cited in the report said one-way non-stop economy tickets on heavily trafficked routes were selling for two to three times their standard baseline prices as seat availability declined. Airlines use dynamic pricing systems that adjust fares according to demand, remaining inventory and booking patterns.
The fare increases are also taking place amid operational pressures for airlines, including engine-maintenance groundings, delays in fleet deliveries and higher Aviation Turbine Fuel costs. Domestic ATF prices rose by 5.46%, or Rs 6.28 per litre, to Rs 121.28 per litre from Rs 115 on September 1, according to the report. ATF generally accounts for about 35% to 40% of an airline’s operating costs.
The report said domestic passenger load factors have remained above 85% across major fleets. A Mumbai-based tour operator cited in the report expects airfares to remain elevated until the post-festive mid-week lull. No official timetable for a broader fare correction was provided in the report.
