As the holiday season approaches, Indian travellers are facing unprecedented airfare hikes on domestic routes, especially from Mumbai. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad route tops the list, with an astounding 1258% increase in airfares, followed by significant hikes on flights to Goa, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Travellers planning their Christmas and New Year vacations or visits to hometowns have expressed frustration over this steep surge, with airfares exceeding typical festive season expectations.
A detailed review of current airfare trends revealed that flights from Mumbai have seen a substantial jump in ticket prices. Akasa Air’s Mumbai-Ahmedabad flights recorded the highest surge, while Air India’s routes to Goa and Bengaluru saw increases of 766% and 625%, respectively. Even flights to less popular destinations such as Bhuj and Agra reported hikes of up to 310% and 72.86%. Industry experts attribute this spike to increased demand and the recent hike in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, which soared to ₹85,861 per kilolitre in Mumbai following consecutive monthly increments.
From a sustainability angle, such high fares risk undermining efforts to promote efficient, eco-friendly travel alternatives. Public transportation advocates argue for better rail and bus services to offset the environmental and financial burden of rising airfares. Additionally, affordability concerns discourage consistent air travel, potentially hampering the aviation sector’s long-term growth and efforts to maintain operational sustainability amidst fluctuating fuel costs.
Civic groups and consumer rights organisations, such as the Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, have raised alarms, filing complaints with the Civil Aviation and Consumer Affairs Ministries. They demand government intervention to regulate fare hikes and address monopolistic practices on certain routes. As a nation aiming for an equitable urban future, resolving this issue is critical to balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations in India’s growing aviation industry.
