Diwali Travel Woes: Skyrocketing Airfares Dampening Festive Spirits Across India

Skyrocketing airfares are taking the shine off Diwali travel plans this year. With the festival of lights still more than seven weeks away, air ticket prices have already surged, leaving travelers bracing for hefty costs. Business Today conducted a spot check for return fares on metro routes between Oct 30 and Nov 3 (with Diwali falling on Nov 1), revealing an alarming 50-200% hike in prices. For instance, a return flight from Bengaluru to Delhi now starts at ₹25,000, while Chennai-Delhi fares are ₹23,000. Non-metro routes fare no better, with Mumbai-Patna return tickets priced at ₹30,000. Even an early holiday starting on Oct 26 brings no respite, as Mumbai-Delhi fares for that week rise to ₹20,000. The surge is blamed on limited airline competition after Go Air's exit and SpiceJet's financial struggles. Despite a drop in aviation fuel prices, airfare spikes continue to plague travelers ahead of the festive season.