Domestic Airfares Soar Ahead of Diwali, Some Routes More Expensive Than Overseas Flights

With demand surging for Diwali travel, domestic flight ticket prices have doubled—or even tripled—on certain routes. Airlines are capitalizing on the festival rush, leaving many travelers rueful.

New Delhi | October 7, 2025:As Diwali approaches, India’s aviation sector is witnessing a steep spike in domestic airfares. In many cases, the domestic fares now rival—or exceed—some international route prices. The report mentions that flights to Varanasi from Mumbai are costing more than certain Malaysia or Singapore flights, a reversal that underscores the scale of recent fare inflation.

Travelers say that airline platforms show fare multiplies—double or triple of off-season rates—for flights between October 15 and October 25. Some popular routes are nearly sold out, leaving passengers with little choice but to pay the inflated rates.

In response to the surge, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines to increase the number of flights and adhere to “fair pricing” norms, attempting to curb exploitative practices during the festive rush.

The combination of limited seats, high demand, and airlines’ pricing strategies is placing burden on regular travelers, especially those journeying home for Diwali. Many are comparing the cost of domestic travel to international itineraries, an irony few would have imagined.

With no regulatory price cap on ticketing, industry watchers warn that unless capacity is expanded rapidly, airfares may continue climbing in the run-up to Diwali.

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