Domestic flight ticket prices are climbing sharply ahead of India’s major festivals, with some one-way fares reaching ₹35,000. Travelers heading home for Diwali and Chhath Puja, as well as those planning year-end holidays, are facing considerably higher travel costs.
For millions of Indians, the festive season means returning home, meeting family and planning a much-needed holiday. However, this year’s celebrations are becoming more expensive for travelers who depend on flights.
Airfares on several popular domestic routes have increased significantly, with some reported price jumps approaching 100%. Routes connecting major cities to Kolkata and Patna are among those experiencing the sharpest increases.
Rising passenger demand, higher aviation fuel costs and airline surcharges are contributing to the price increases.
Flight Prices Rise by Up to 96% on Popular Routes
Travel platform Cleartrip’s fare data, reported by India Business & Trade, indicates substantial increases on flights to Kolkata during the October 11–20 Durga Puja travel period.
Passengers traveling from Chennai, Mumbai and Bengaluru have faced significantly higher average ticket prices compared with off-peak travel periods.
Reported festive airfare increases
Source: Cleartrip fare trends reported by India Business & Trade. Figures are approximate one-way averages for the specified travel period, not live ticket quotes.
For travelers booking tickets for their families, these increases can quickly turn an ordinary journey into a substantial expense.
A family of four traveling from Chennai to Kolkata, for example, could face an estimated ₹62,000 in one-way airfare at the reported average festive price, compared with ₹31,600 during the off-peak period. That is an additional ₹30,400 before considering the return journey.
Diwali and Chhath Puja Travel Pushes Patna Airfares Beyond ₹25,000
Flights to Patna are also experiencing considerable demand ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja in November.
Large numbers of people employed in cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Delhi traditionally return to Bihar during the festive period.
According to an October 6 report by The Times of India, certain Mumbai–Patna flights exceeded ₹26,000 for travel ahead of Diwali, while some tickets were priced above ₹35,000.
Pune–Patna fares also crossed ₹26,000 on certain peak dates, and Bengaluru–Patna tickets exceeded ₹25,000.
These prices are particularly challenging for travelers booking close to the festival dates.
With railway reservations also facing heavy demand, many passengers have limited flexibility when choosing between trains and flights.
Why Are Flight Tickets So Expensive This Festive Season?
The increase in domestic flight prices is not linked to a single factor. Several developments are influencing the cost of air travel across India.
Higher demand during festivals
Festivals create concentrated demand over a limited number of days. Thousands of travelers want to reach their destinations just before celebrations begin and return shortly afterward.
Airlines operate with a fixed number of seats, and fares generally increase as cheaper booking categories sell out.
Rising aviation fuel costs
Aviation turbine fuel is a major operating expense for airlines.
Higher fuel prices have increased pressure on airline operating costs, with several carriers introducing or revising fuel-related charges.
IndiGo’s revised domestic fuel charge, effective October 6, ranges from ₹375 to ₹1,300 per flight sector, depending on the route.
Limited seats on high-demand routes
Airlines cannot always add flights quickly enough to accommodate short-term demand.
Aircraft availability and airport operating constraints can make it difficult to increase capacity during peak travel periods.
Consequently, popular routes can become expensive even several weeks before departure.
Goa Holiday Flights Could Also Become Costlier in December
The increase in airfares is not limited to travelers returning home for religious festivals.
People planning Christmas and New Year holidays may also face higher flight prices, particularly on popular leisure routes.
According to fare trends reported by Wego, certain one-way flights to Goa from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru were priced at approximately ₹4,000–₹6,500 for December 20–24 departures.
For December 28–31, reported fares on some routes rose to ₹12,000–₹22,000, while peak nonstop options reached ₹35,000.
Goa remains a popular destination for year-end celebrations, with its beaches, nightlife and holiday events attracting visitors from across the country.
Travelers planning a December vacation can also explore Gallivant’s guide to Goa in November to understand how the destination changes as the peak tourism season approaches.
Government Faces Questions Over Rising Airfares
The sharp increase in domestic ticket prices has renewed concerns about airfare affordability and the impact of dynamic pricing on passengers.
The central government has informed the Supreme Court that aviation regulations addressing airfare volatility and predatory pricing are being finalized under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
However, proposed regulatory changes should not be mistaken for an immediate cap on festive ticket prices.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has previously indicated that it does not intend to impose a general fare cap for the festive season, although airlines have been asked to maintain reasonable pricing during periods of high demand.
For passengers, this means fares may continue to fluctuate according to demand, available seats and airline pricing decisions.
How Travelers Can Save Money on Festive Flight Bookings
Although airfare increases are difficult to avoid during popular travel periods, a few practical decisions may help reduce expenses.
- Compare nearby departure dates: Flying one or two days before or after the busiest festival travel dates may offer better fares.
- Check alternative airports: For destinations served by multiple airports, compare the full cost of flying to each one, including onward ground transport.
- Compare airlines and booking platforms: Airline websites and travel booking platforms may display different offers, discounts or service charges.
- Check trains and connecting flights: A train journey or a connecting flight may be more economical, provided the additional travel time is reasonable.
- Set price alerts: Flight comparison services can help travelers monitor fare changes before making a booking.
Travelers should also check baggage allowances, cancellation policies and convenience fees before finalizing their tickets.
For people who cannot change their travel dates, booking early can provide greater choice, although it does not guarantee the lowest fare.
What Should Passengers Do About Unusually High Airfares?
Passengers who believe they have been charged an unfair fare can first contact the airline for clarification.
They can also raise aviation-related complaints through the government’s official AirSewa portal, which provides a grievance redressal mechanism for airline passengers.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that the AirSewa system includes a dedicated airfare grievance facility.
However, a high ticket price alone does not necessarily establish a regulatory violation.
Festive Travel in India Is Becoming More Expensive
India’s festive travel season continues to highlight the difficulties of balancing growing passenger demand with affordable transport.
For travelers returning home, flights are often more than a convenient mode of transport. They provide an opportunity to spend important occasions with family, especially when work commitments allow only a few days of leave.
With Diwali, Chhath Puja, Christmas and New Year travel approaching, passengers may need to plan their journeys more carefully and account for higher transportation expenses.
For now, flexible travel dates, advance planning and comparison shopping remain among the most practical ways to manage festive travel costs.
Source: India Business & Trade
