Air passengers have a reason to celebrate this Diwali season as average airfares on several domestic routes have dropped by 20-25% compared to the same period last year, according to an analysis by travel portal ixigo.
The analysis cites increased flight capacity and a recent dip in oil prices as key factors behind the decrease in ticket costs.
The study compared airfares for one-way tickets with a 30-day advance purchase, considering the period from November 10-16, 2023, and October 28-November 3, 2022—just around Diwali.
Bengaluru-Kolkata flights witnessed the most significant decline, with ticket prices falling 38% to Rs 6,319 this year from Rs 10,195 last year. The Chennai-Kolkata route saw a 36% drop to Rs 5,604, while the Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Udaipur routes experienced a 34% decrease in fares, falling to Rs 5,762 and Rs 7,469, respectively. Other routes such as Delhi-Kolkata, Hyderabad-Delhi, and Delhi-Srinagar also saw a 32% reduction.
According to Aloke Bajpai, CEO of ixigo Group, the significant decrease in airfares compared to last year is attributed to the addition of new flight capacity following the suspension of Go First airline. The falling oil prices—down by 15% this year—have also contributed to the relief in travel costs for passengers during the festive period.
However, not all routes have seen a reduction. The analysis also revealed hikes of up to 34% on certain routes. Ahmedabad-Delhi fares surged by 34% to Rs 8,758 from Rs 6,533, while the Mumbai-Dehradun route saw a 33% rise to Rs 15,527 from Rs 11,710.