Bihar is witnessing a significant boost in air connectivity as airlines ramp up services ahead of the festive season of Diwali and Chhath Puja. SpiceJet has introduced special flights linking Patna and Darbhanga with major Indian cities, complementing Air India’s recent announcement of 166 additional festive flights. The enhanced schedules aim to cater to rising passenger demand, providing greater flexibility and convenience for travellers returning home to celebrate these culturally significant festivals.
SpiceJet has launched new flights connecting Patna with Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Mumbai. Additionally, the airline has strengthened connectivity to Darbhanga with extra flights from Delhi and Mumbai. These services complement existing flights to Patna from Delhi, Mumbai, and Guwahati, and to Darbhanga from Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi. Operations for these festive flights commenced in a phased manner from October 10, according to airline officials, ensuring passengers have ample options to plan their journeys. “The festive period is a time when millions of passengers travel home to be with their families. Enhancing connectivity to key destinations in Bihar supports this cultural imperative while providing safer and more convenient travel options,” said a senior SpiceJet official. The airline emphasised that these additional flights would help ease congestion on popular routes, particularly during peak travel days in the lead-up to Diwali and Chhath Puja.
Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express have also increased capacity to meet festive travel demand. Between October 15 and November 2, Air India will operate 114 additional flights to and from Patna, while Air India Express will operate 52 extra flights connecting the Bihar capital to Delhi and Bengaluru. These flights supplement the carriers’ regular weekly services of 42 flights by Air India and 14 flights by Air India Express, ensuring travellers have enhanced scheduling flexibility. Experts from the aviation sector highlight that such proactive measures not only accommodate higher passenger volumes but also support regional economic activity by facilitating smoother movement of people during peak seasons. The additional flights are expected to reduce overcrowding, improve passenger comfort, and strengthen air travel connectivity in Bihar, an important step towards more sustainable and accessible domestic travel.
Officials also noted that ensuring timely execution of these additional flights requires meticulous coordination across airports, air traffic control, and airline operations. Both SpiceJet and Air India are leveraging data on passenger demand trends from previous years to optimise flight schedules, capacity allocation, and ticketing strategies. This surge in festive flights underscores a growing recognition of the need for reliable air connectivity to regional centres like Patna and Darbhanga. It reflects airlines’ responsiveness to cultural travel peaks while supporting equitable access to transportation across urban and rural regions. Passengers can expect smoother travel experiences, with airlines ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and convenience in alignment with festive travel needs.
SpiceJet Launches Special Flights Connecting Patna Darbhanga Ahead Diwali Chhath
