Diwali airfares shoot up 52% amid supply squeeze, weaker rupee

Average economy airfares on major routes across the country for Diwali week have risen by as much as 52 per cent from last year, driven by a weaker rupee and shrinking network capacity amid aircraft shortages.

- DEEPAK PATEL

According to Ixigo data, economy-class fares on the Mumbai-Patna route for the Diwali week travel this year (October 19-25) are averaging about ₹14,540, compared with ₹9,584 last year—a 52 per cent increase. Bengaluru-Lucknow fares are at around ₹9,899, against ₹6,720 a year ago, an increase of 47 per cent. These fares are for tickets purchased 50-60 days in advance. Diwali fell on October 31 in 2024; this year it would be on October 20.

Ixigo Group CEO Aloke Bajpai said: "This festival season, advance airfares for major metros are up 20-25 per cent from last year, driven by strong demand. Travellers are booking earlier, with October reservations already more than double last year's levels in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai."