Sharp spike in flight ticket fares during Diwali

There has been a steep increase in air ticket fares and a decline in flight operations during the Diwali festival. According to a report by Sandesh (Business), data from aviation analytics company 'Cirium' shows that Indian airlines scheduled approximately 6% fewer flights during October and November 2026 compared to last year. This is the first time since 2020, following the Covid-19 pandemic period, that such a decrease in air capacity has occurred during Diwali.

Due to the reduction in flight capacity, there has been a major surge in fares, causing difficulties for passengers. For example, a one-way ticket from Hyderabad to Siliguri exceeded ₹20,000, which is typically the cost of a round-trip ticket. Due to this situation, a year-on-year decline of 6.5% was recorded in the number of domestic air passengers in September 2026.

Airline companies are currently facing several financial and operational issues. The rise in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices has increased basic costs. Additionally, as aircraft leases, maintenance, and international expenses are paid in dollars, the burden has increased due to the weak rupee. Some international routes being closed or diverted have necessitated flying longer routes, leading to increased fuel consumption.

The impact of these costs has also been seen on the country's largest airline, IndiGo. In the September 2026 quarter, the company carried 4.5% fewer passengers than last year. Despite an increase of over 34% in passenger yield, IndiGo suffered a loss of ₹1,880 crore this quarter due to a 67% increase in fuel costs.

Despite India being the fastest-growing aviation market in the world, the decrease in flights during the main festival is a worrying signal. If high fuel prices and operational challenges persist, air ticket rates may remain beyond the reach of ordinary passengers.