Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Festive Airfares Rise Sharply on Popular Routes
Plane tickets on some popular routes are much more expensive this festive season.
The biggest increase mentioned is 68% for flights between Delhi and Hyderabad.
Fares also rose on routes between Mumbai and Kolkata, Delhi and Goa, and Mumbai and Bengaluru.
These figures compare average one-way fares from September 1 to November 10.
Having more seats overall does not always mean there are more flights at the time a traveller wants.
If fewer flights are available on a particular day, people have fewer options.
And when the cheaper tickets sell out, the tickets left can cost a lot more.
Average one-way fares rose 68% on Delhi–Hyderabad and 51% on Mumbai–Kolkata.
Delhi–Goa fares increased 39%, while Mumbai–Bengaluru fares rose 37%.
The comparisons cover fares from September 1 to November 10.
Fewer departures on a route or date can mean fewer choices for passengers, even when total seat capacity is higher.
When cheaper fare categories sell out, the remaining tickets can cost significantly more.
- Who
- Air travellers on the Delhi–Hyderabad, Mumbai–Kolkata, Delhi–Goa and Mumbai–Bengaluru routes.
- What
- Average one-way airfares on these routes rose by 37% to 68%.
- When
- The fare comparison covers September 1 to November 10; the article identifies December 7 as a possible worst day to fly but gives no specific fare figure for that date.
- Where
- The listed routes connect Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Goa and Bengaluru.
- Why
- Fewer departures on a particular route or date can reduce passenger choice, and fares may rise after cheaper ticket categories sell out.
More capacity and passenger choice
Fewer options and higher fares
Seat totals versus flight options
More capacity and passenger choice
More seats overall may suggest greater capacity for travellers.
Fewer options and higher fares
The article cautions that more total seats do not necessarily mean more choices on a specific route or date; fewer departures can limit options.
Ticket availability and price
More capacity and passenger choice
Travellers may still find lower-priced tickets while cheaper fare categories remain available.
Fewer options and higher fares
Once those cheaper categories sell out, the remaining tickets can become significantly more expensive.
- Highest reported increase
- 68% on Delhi–Hyderabad
- Mumbai–Kolkata increase
- 51%
- Delhi–Goa increase
- 39%
- Mumbai–Bengaluru increase
- 37%
- Fare measure
- Average one-way fares
- Comparison period
- September 1 to November 10
- Potentially worst day to fly
- December 7, according to the article headline