The central government has simplified the GST system for air tickets. Earlier, air tickets had four GST rates: 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%.
Now, only two slabs remain: 5% and 18%. This change has mainly affected business class passengers.
Economy class tickets continue to attract 5% GST, keeping fares stable for regular travelers. Ho
wever, tickets that previously had 12% GST, mostly business class, have now moved to the 18% slab, making them more expensive.
Increased Fares for Business Class
For example, the fare for a business class ticket from Patna to Delhi has risen from ₹22,285 to ₹23,267—an increase of around ₹1,000.
Similarly, a business class ticket to Mumbai now costs ₹26,680, up from ₹25,380, meaning passengers will pay about ₹1,300 more.
Air India operates business class on four flights from Patna to Delhi and one flight to Mumbai. The Delhi flights have 8–12 seats, while the Mumbai flight has 8 seats available.
Impact on Passengers’ Pockets
Business class passengers traveling from Patna will feel the biggest impact.
Since business class tickets are already more than twice as expensive as economy class, the GST hike makes the difference even larger.
Regular travelers flying for work or meetings to cities like Delhi and Mumbai will face extra costs for each trip.
Airline experts say the effect is limited for now, but it could affect business class bookings over time.
Economy Class Relief
Economy class passengers are largely unaffected. Fares for these tickets remain under the 5% GST slab, meaning regular travelers from Patna to Delhi or Mumbai won’t see a rise in ticket prices.
Passengers note that while business class fares are affected due to their premium nature, keeping economy fares unchanged ensures that air travel stays affordable for the general public.
Airlines’ Response and Patna Airport
Air India officials explained that the fare increase is due to GST changes. The base ticket price is mostly the same, but the final fare rises because of the higher tax.
They expect business class passengers, who value comfort and convenience, to accept the increase.
Patna Airport sees many passengers daily flying to Delhi and Mumbai. Although business class travelers are a smaller portion, this segment remains important for airlines.
After the new GST rates, airlines anticipate some hesitation initially, but passengers are expected to adjust over time.
