It’s that time of year again when travelers are starting to feel the pinch of high airfares, despite assurances from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. With the festive season just around the corner, flights from Pune to major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Patna, and Ranchi are currently priced between ₹10,000 and ₹13,000 for one-way trips during Durga Puja and Diwali.
Families like one from Wakad, who are planning a trip to Kolkata for Diwali, are finding it difficult to afford air travel, with round trip tickets costing as much as ₹97,000. Trains are not a viable alternative either, as they are fully booked for the holiday season.
Experts have noted a significant increase in airfares for the upcoming Diwali period compared to last year, with prices jumping by 15% to 30% for both metro and non-metro cities. The peak period for high fares is between October 30 and November 5, with some one-way tickets reaching up to ₹30,000 even when booked three months in advance.
In an effort to address the issue of high airfares, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced a 100-day action plan back in June. Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, has assured that the ministry is working closely with airlines to increase the number of serviceable aircraft, which should help stabilize airfares across the country. Additionally, the Centre is providing viability gap funding under the Udan-RCS scheme to ease economic pressure on airlines.
An airline official, speaking anonymously, attributed the high fares to increased demand during the festival season. According to Mehboob Shaikh, Chairman of the Travel Agents Association of India, Central and South Maharashtra chapter, fares have surged by 50% to 60% this year on routes from Pune to various domestic and international destinations.
With the festive season fast approaching, travelers are advised to plan ahead and book their flights early to avoid the high airfares that are currently plaguing the industry.
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