Air India Express has cancelled multiple Patna-bound flights during the Diwali and Chhath travel period, leaving passengers from Bengaluru and Delhi searching for alternatives as airfares rise and railway seats remain difficult to secure.
The Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna informed passengers that Air India Express flight IX-2004/2817, operating on the Bengaluru–Patna–Bengaluru route, would remain cancelled from November 1 to November 15. The airline cited operational reasons for the cancellation.
The airport later announced another cancellation involving Air India Express flight IX1586/1587 on the Delhi–Patna–Delhi route. The flight scheduled for November 8, which falls on Diwali, has also been cancelled for operational reasons, according to the airline.
Patna airport shared the cancellation information through its official X account and advised affected passengers to contact Air India Express executives for flight-related information and assistance. The announcements cover a period when demand for travel to Bihar typically intensifies as passengers return home for Diwali and Chhath.
The cancellations have added pressure to an already constrained travel market. Railway tickets for the festive period are difficult to obtain, while fares on several Patna-bound air routes have remained high. Passengers who booked well in advance may now have to look for replacement flights at short notice, potentially at significantly higher prices.
One passenger who had booked a round trip between Bengaluru and Patna nearly a month earlier said the journey had already cost around Rs 20,000. According to the passenger, one-way fares had subsequently crossed nearly Rs 25,000 on some dates and Rs 31,000 on others, while trains were full.
Another passenger, Satyam Kumar, said he received information about the cancellation on November 1 and was exploring alternative ways to reach Patna. Pushp Ranjan, who said he had booked a Bengaluru–Patna flight for November 6, wrote on X that the booking continued to appear as confirmed on Yatra even after airline customer support had verbally informed him that the flight was cancelled.
The conflicting status reported by passengers highlights the immediate coordination problem created when airline cancellations, booking platforms and passenger communication do not update simultaneously. Travellers may need to verify their booking status directly with the airline before beginning their journey.
The cancellations also come amid wider complaints from passengers about steep airfares on Patna-bound routes during the Diwali and Chhath rush. Some travellers have compared the cost of domestic flights with international fares, although the source report did not provide a route-wise fare comparison or details of additional flights being planned.
With the festive rush expected to intensify, passengers are continuing to monitor flight schedules and airline advisories. Patna airport has directed those affected to contact Air India Express representatives for further information and assistance.
