As the holiday season approaches, domestic airfares have soared to unprecedented levels, leaving travellers grappling with skyrocketing ticket prices. Mumbai-origin flights have witnessed a sharp surge in fares, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route experiencing a staggering 1258% hike, marking the highest increase among domestic routes. Other popular destinations like Goa, Bengaluru, and Kolkata have also recorded significant fare hikes, dampening holiday spirits for many Indians.
According to a recent analysis, Akasa Air’s Mumbai-Ahmedabad flight topped the list with a fare increase of 1258% compared to its usual rates. Similarly, Air India flights to Goa’s Dabolim saw a 766% hike, while Bengaluru and Kolkata routes witnessed fare surges of 625% and 491%, respectively. Other routes such as Chennai (355%), Jaipur (345%), and Bhubaneshwar (145%) also saw sharp price escalations. Even monopoly routes, including Air India’s Bhuj flights (310%) and Indigo’s Agra flights (72.86%), reflected steep increases. This dramatic surge in airfares has prompted consumer advocacy groups like Mumbai Grahak Panchayat (MGP) to raise concerns. Shirish Deshpande, chairman of MGP, has urged the central government to intervene, describing the price hikes as “unfair trade practices.” He highlighted that fares for flights between major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Lucknow have doubled or tripled in December compared to September and October rates.
While airlines attribute the fare hikes to rising operational costs, including aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, the timing of these increases—just ahead of the holiday season—has raised eyebrows. ATF prices in Mumbai have surged to ₹85,861 per kilolitre after successive price hikes, adding to the operational burden for airlines and impacting ticket pricing. Adding to the woes, a report by Airports Council International (ACI) revealed that India saw a 43% rise in domestic airfares in the first half of 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels. The study analysed airfare trends across 6 lakh routes in 19 countries, ranking India as the second-highest in airfare inflation after Vietnam, which reported a 63% rise.
The sharp fare hikes come as domestic travel demand rebounds to pre-pandemic levels, driven by increased holiday travel and business recovery. However, the exorbitant rates have sparked widespread dissatisfaction, with many passengers describing the situation as “unbearable.” Consumer groups and passengers alike are urging the government to step in and regulate airfares to prevent exploitative practices during peak travel periods.
