Festive flight fares are rising sharply on several domestic routes as demand for Diwali, Chhath and other festival travel picks up.
On some routes, passengers are facing fares several times higher than normal levels.
The steepest increase has been reported on routes with limited flight options, where fewer available seats and strong festive demand are putting pressure on ticket prices.
Festive Flight Fares Surge on Key Routes
According to recent fare comparisons, Kolkata-Deoghar tickets for the Durga Puja period have risen from around Rs 2,800 to Rs 12,500, marking an increase of about 340 percent.
Bengaluru-Jharsuguda fares have also seen a sharp jump ahead of Diwali.
Tickets that normally cost around Rs 4,200 have risen to about Rs 16,200 for peak travel dates, an increase of roughly 285 percent.
Delhi-Agatti is another route seeing a major increase.
Fares have climbed from around Rs 8,500 to nearly Rs 25,000, representing a rise of about 194 percent.
Why Festive Flight Fares Are Rising
The increase is closely linked to the surge in passenger demand during the festive season. As more seats are booked, airlines’ dynamic pricing systems can push fares higher, particularly when fewer flights are available on a route.
Routes with only one airline or limited direct services are seeing some of the sharpest increases.
This leaves passengers with fewer alternatives when they need to travel on specific festival dates.
On major routes such as Delhi-Kolkata, fares have also moved higher, although the increase is less extreme than on some regional sectors.
Prices on Delhi-Bengaluru and Delhi-Mumbai have similarly risen during the peak travel period.
Higher Fuel Costs Add Pressure
Higher aviation fuel costs are another factor affecting airlines.
Domestic Aviation Turbine Fuel prices were increased by 5.46 percent, or Rs 6.28 per litre, from September 1, taking the price to Rs 121.28 per litre.
ATF is a significant part of airline operating costs. Rising fuel expenses can add pressure to airlines at a time when passenger demand is already strong.
What Travellers Should Know
The current fare pattern shows why festival travel can become considerably more expensive when tickets are booked close to the journey date.
The impact is particularly visible on routes serving cities that see large numbers of people travelling home for festivals.
For passengers planning Diwali, Chhath or other festive journeys, comparing different dates and available flight options can be important because fares can vary significantly depending on seat availability and travel demand.
