1 hr ago
Rising Festive Airfares Force Pune Travellers to Reconsider Plans
Flights from Pune are becoming more expensive before the festive season.
Airlines say higher fuel costs are one reason for the fare increases.
Some people are changing or cancelling their holiday plans because tickets cost more than they expected.
A Pune–Dubai flight run by SpiceJet is temporarily unavailable, so travellers have fewer direct options.
SpiceJet said the service should return from mid-October.
An aviation expert said fuel is a large part of what airlines pay to operate flights.
If fuel stays expensive, airlines may keep fares high or make other changes.
Rising aviation turbine fuel prices amid the West Asia conflict have led airlines to revise fuel surcharges ahead of the festive season.
Passengers reported higher fares on routes from Pune, including Pune–Bengaluru, Pune–Delhi and Pune–Thailand.
Travel agents said some customers are postponing or cancelling trips as ticket costs rise.
SpiceJet has temporarily suspended its Pune–Dubai service for operational reasons; it said the flight is expected to resume from mid-October.
An aviation expert said fuel accounts for nearly 40% of airline operating costs and warned that sustained high fuel prices could pressure margins and fares.
- Who
- Pune passengers, travel operators and airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet.
- What
- Higher airfares and revised fuel surcharges are prompting some travellers to postpone or cancel festive trips.
- Where
- Pune and routes connecting it with domestic and international destinations.
- When
- Ahead of the festive season; IndiGo's revised charges took effect October 6, and SpiceJet said its Pune–Dubai service would resume from mid-October.
- Why
- Rising aviation turbine fuel prices amid the West Asia conflict have led airlines to revise fuel surcharges.
Passenger affordability
Airline cost pressures
Response to higher fares
Passenger affordability
Passengers and travel operators say rising ticket prices are forcing people to postpone or cancel trips; one operator called for airfare caps and asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to act.
Airline cost pressures
Aviation expert Dhairyashil Vandekar said revising fuel charges was an expected response to sharply higher aviation turbine fuel costs, which make up a large share of airline operating expenses.
Possible effects of continued fuel costs
Passenger affordability
Higher fares can make festive travel and urgent air travel difficult for passengers, according to people quoted in the report.
Airline cost pressures
Vandekar said airlines may respond to sustained fuel costs with higher fares, fewer discounts, capacity adjustments or closer scrutiny of route profitability.
Key facts
- Fuel cost share
- Aviation fuel accounts for nearly 40% of airline operating costs, according to aviation expert Dhairyashil Vandekar.
- Pune–Bengaluru fare
- A passenger said a one-way ticket that usually costs around Rs 5,000 was priced at Rs 8,000–Rs 10,000 in October.
- Pune–Delhi fare
- A travel operator said one-way tickets were costing Rs 9,000–Rs 10,000.
- Pune–Thailand fare
- A travel operator reported one-way fares of around Rs 20,000–Rs 25,000, compared with Rs 13,000–Rs 15,000 earlier.
- Bhutan trip airfare
- A round-trip ticket to Bagdogra for a Bhutan group trip cost more than Rs 22,000, compared with around Rs 15,000 for the same period the previous year when booked in advance.
- Pune–Dubai service
- SpiceJet said its service was temporarily unavailable for operational reasons and would resume from mid-October.
- Airline changes
- Air India group raised fuel surcharges on domestic routes over 1,000 km; IndiGo revised distance-based fuel charges from October 6.
Quotes
Pratiksha Mirji
Founder of Happy Women’s Family Trip company.
“We understand that fuel prices have increased because of global tensions. However, there should be some capping on airfares in the interest of common citizens, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) should proactively look into this. Affordable fares for passengers should be ensured.”
indianexpress.com
“I regularly take a group to Bhutan. For travel during the same period last year, a round-trip air ticket to Bagdogra used to cost around Rs 15,000 when booked in advance. Now, it is costing more than Rs 22,000.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Indian Airlines Raise Fuel Surcharges as ATF Costs Climb
IndiGo Raises Fuel Charges as ATF Prices Surge
Centre Rules Out Festive Airfare Cap, Seeks Reasonable Prices
Indian Airlines Seek Relief as West Asia Conflict Raises ATF Costs
Diwali Flight Fares Make Overseas Trips Seem Cheaper Than Home
Centre Weighs ATF Fund Revival as Airlines Face Fare Pressure
CJP Leaders Detained on Flight as MPs Condemn Police Action
Air India Extends Riyadh Flight Cancellations Amid Saudi Tensions
Abhijeet Dipke’s Mother Calls His Plane Detention Wrong
