Airfares on several Indian domestic routes have risen sharply ahead of Diwali and Durga Puja, with ticket prices on some regional services increasing by as much as 340 per cent. Strong festive demand, limited seat availability and operational pressures are adding to the cost of travel for passengers planning October journeys.

A report by NDTV found that one-way economy fares on the Delhi–Patna route have climbed from roughly ₹3,500–₹4,500 to more than ₹12,500 on peak dates. The increase comes as passengers compete for a limited number of seats during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Fares rise on key festive routes

The Kolkata–Deoghar route has also seen a substantial increase during the Durga Puja period. Tickets that usually cost about ₹2,800 have risen to around ₹12,500, according to the report.

On the Delhi–Agatti route, fares for peak October dates have increased from approximately ₹8,500 to about ₹25,000. The Bengaluru–Jharsuguda route has recorded a similar rise, with fares moving from about ₹4,200 to ₹16,200.

Passengers travelling between Mumbai and Bareilly are also facing higher costs. Tickets on the route have crossed ₹15,000, compared with a usual base fare of roughly ₹4,500.

The increases are not uniform across all routes or travel dates. However, the examples show how quickly fares can rise when demand is high and the number of available seats is limited.

Demand and operating costs add pressure

The report attributes the fare pressure to strong demand during the festive season, along with limited seat availability. Fleet delays and aircraft maintenance have further affected capacity, while higher operating costs have added to the pressure on domestic airfares.

Domestic aviation turbine fuel prices rose 5.46 per cent on September 1, according to the report. Fuel is a major operating expense for airlines, and a rise in its price can increase the cost of running flights, although fares also depend on demand, availability and other operational factors.

The combination of festive travel demand and constrained capacity is particularly significant on regional routes, where passengers may have fewer flight options. Travellers who need to fly on peak dates could therefore face much higher prices than those travelling outside the busiest periods.

Planning becomes important for passengers

The fare increases are likely to make advance planning more important for passengers travelling during Diwali and Durga Puja. The available examples indicate that booking closer to peak travel dates can involve a substantial difference compared with the usual base fares on several routes.

For passengers considering air travel, the current fare movement highlights the financial impact of limited seats during the festive season. The final cost will depend on the route, date, availability and prevailing operating conditions, with the sharpest increases reported on selected services rather than across every domestic flight.