Business · Companies · 21 hrs ago
Early-booking discounts fade as domestic airfares stay high in India
Airlines in India are keeping domestic fares high even when passengers book months before departure.
On the Delhi-Mumbai route, fares for February 2027 were reported at the same levels as next-day tickets, around ₹6,200 to ₹6,900 one way.
In the past, booking early often meant paying less than booking at the last minute.
The shift is linked partly to fewer flights, as IndiGo has cut capacity and Air India has not expanded it, according to a travel company executive.
The market has also become less competitive after Jet Airways and Go First collapsed and Vistara and AirAsia India merged into the Air India group.
Higher jet fuel costs and uncertainty linked to the US-Iran war may also make airlines reluctant to sell tickets far ahead at lower prices.
An airline executive cited in the story expects fares may stay high into 2027, as daily domestic flight capacity remains below earlier levels.
Domestic airfares in India remain high even when passengers book months in advance.
On the Delhi-Mumbai route, economy one-way fares for flights the next day and in February 2027 were the same, at ₹6,200 with Akasa Air, ₹6,500 with IndiGo and ₹6,900 with Air India.
Reduced flight capacity and limited competition are contributing to the fading early-booking discount, according to travel industry figures cited by Economic Times.
Higher fuel prices and uncertainty over the US-Iran war are also making airlines reluctant to offer cheaper fares for future travel.
A former airline executive said domestic capacity has fallen from around 3,200 flights a day to around 2,800-3,000.
- Who
- Domestic airlines, including Akasa Air, IndiGo and Air India, and passengers booking domestic flights.
- What
- Early-booking discounts on domestic airfares are fading, with fares staying high months ahead.
- When
- Reported on October 11, 2026; the fare comparison includes flights for February 2027.
- Where
- India, including the Delhi-Mumbai route.
- Why
- Reduced flight capacity, limited competition and higher fuel prices are contributing to high fares.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
It's only a domestic market trend
IndiGo has cut capacity (number of flights) and Air India is not scaling up
IndiGo's revenue per available seat kilometre was 3.7, according to the article.
IndiGo's RASK has risen to 5.66, more than 50% above its summer 2018 level.
Economic Times reported that domestic flight capacity had fallen from around 3,200 flights a day to around 2,800-3,000.
A former airline executive said the year could also bring higher fares if capacity remains limited.
- Delhi-Mumbai, next-day one-way fare
- Akasa Air ₹6,200; IndiGo ₹6,500; Air India ₹6,900
- Delhi-Mumbai, February 2027 one-way fare
- The same prices as next-day bookings
- Domestic market shares
- IndiGo 70%; Air India group 25%
- Daily domestic flight capacity
- Around 2,800-3,000, down from around 3,200
- IndiGo RASK
- 3.7 in summer 2018; 5.66 currently
Sources
Related news
India opens dollar window for oil companies to support the rupee
Musk says Starlink will be affordable in India as it seeks to compete with Jio
DMart Q2 profit rises 8.5% as revenue grows 17.8%
Amitabh Kant urges India to cut bank liquidity ratio to boost manufacturing
Vellore job fair draws more than 2,000 participants and 100 companies
Hyundai nears 10 million cumulative vehicle sales in India
White paper examines AI’s effects on India’s workforce
SEBI expects derivative expiry-price guidelines within a week
Musk criticizes Ambani as Starlink awaits approval to launch in India
Tea Board plans changes to make India’s tea auctions more efficient
Musk renews criticism of Ambani over Starlink’s planned India launch
