Flight Ticket Price Hike: Festive Season Air Travel Gets Expensive — Things to Know Before Booking

Flight Ticket Price Hike: Why Are Airfares Rising?

The festive season is usually one of the busiest periods for travel in India, and this year travellers are already seeing higher airfares on several important domestic routes. Recent fare data shows that prices have risen sharply on some sectors compared with last year. According to an analysis reported by The Economic Times, average one-way fares between September 1 and November 10 were up 68% on the Delhi-Hyderabad route, 51% on Mumbai-Kolkata, 39% on Delhi-Goa and 37% on Mumbai-Bengaluru. However, the increase is not uniform across the country. Airfares depend heavily on the route, travel date, available seats, number of flights and how close the booking is to departure. For passengers planning to travel during Dussehra, Durga Puja, Diwali and the year-end holiday period, booking decisions can therefore make a significant difference to the final travel cost..

What Is Driving the Increase in Flight Ticket Prices?

There is no single reason behind the current airfare pressure. Several factors are working together..

1. Festive Season Demand Is Rising

Festivals bring a major increase in domestic travel as people return to their hometowns, visit family or plan holidays. Diwali is particularly important because millions of people travel around the festival period. A recent report highlighted higher fares on the Delhi Bengaluru route around Diwali, with some round-trip prices reported at more than ₹20,000 compared with lower levels in previous years. When demand rises faster than the availability of seats on particular flights, cheaper fare categories can disappear quickly..

2. Fewer Flight Frequencies on Some Routes

Airlines have also adjusted their flight schedules. According to The Economic Times, domestic flights scheduled for the October December quarter were about 5% lower year-on-year, while overall seat capacity was down by around 1.2%. Airlines are using larger aircraft on some routes to maintain capacity even as the number of individual departures falls. For passengers, fewer departure options can mean fewer opportunities to find a low-cost ticket at a convenient time..

3. Aviation Turbine Fuel Costs

Jet fuel is one of the biggest operating expenses for airlines. When aviation turbine fuel, or ATF, becomes more expensive, airlines face higher operating costs. This can put upward pressure on fares and fuel-related charges. Some airlines have also recently revised fuel-related charges as global fuel prices increased, adding another cost factor for passengers..

4. Popular Festival Dates Become Expensive

Not every day during the festive period carries the same fare. Travelling immediately before a major festival or on a particularly popular return date can be considerably more expensive than travelling a few days earlier or later. This was visible around Durga Puja in Kolkata. An analysis of 53 domestic routes found that the median fare for flights into Kolkata on October 16 was ₹14,117, compared with ₹8,259 for the following week — a difference of about 71%. The analysis also found particularly sharp increases on flights from Chennai, Bengaluru and Mumbai to Kolkata..

Why Waiting Until the Last Minute Can Be Risky

Many travellers wait for fares to fall before booking. During normal travel periods, this can sometimes work, but festive-season travel is different. As departure approaches, the cheapest available fare buckets can sell out. If demand remains strong, the remaining seats may be priced at higher levels. This does not mean that every flight will become more expensive every day. Airfares are dynamic and can move both up and down depending on demand and inventory. But if your travel dates are fixed — especially around a major festival — waiting without monitoring fares can carry a higher risk..

Check Different Travel Dates Before Booking

One of the easiest ways to reduce the cost of a festive trip is to compare nearby dates..

For example, instead of searching only for a flight on the day immediately before a festival, check:-

• Two or three days earlier
• The festival day itself
• One or two days after the festival
• Weekday versus weekend departures
• Early-morning and late-night flights

Even a one-day change can sometimes produce a noticeable difference in fare.

Consider Nearby Airports

Travellers should also check airports within reasonable travelling distance. Depending on the destination, flying from or to a nearby airport may provide more options and different fare levels. However, calculate the complete cost before making the decision. A cheaper flight may not actually save money if it requires expensive transport, an additional hotel stay or significantly more travel time..

Compare the Total Ticket Cost, Not Just the Base Fare

The cheapest fare displayed during a search may not always be the cheapest overall option..

Before paying, check whether the ticket includes:-

• Checked baggage
• Cabin baggage allowance
• Seat selection
• Meal or food options
• Cancellation charges
• Date-change charges
• Other applicable fees

For travellers carrying luggage during festive trips, baggage charges can make a noticeable difference to the final price..

Don't Assume a Return Ticket Is Always Cheaper

For some journeys, booking a round trip can be convenient and may offer competitive pricing. But when festival dates are involved, compare the two one-way journeys separately as well. Demand can be much higher in one direction than the other. For example, a city may see a huge influx of passengers before a festival and a different travel pattern after it. The Kolkata Durga Puja fare analysis showed that the sharp increase was particularly concentrated on flights travelling into Kolkata around the festival date..

Use Fare Alerts and Track Prices

If your travel dates are flexible, start monitoring fares early. Instead of repeatedly searching manually, travellers can use fare-alert features on flight-search platforms to track changes. The objective should not be to find the absolute lowest price at any cost. It is more practical to identify a reasonable fare and book when the price fits your budget and travel requirements..

Be Careful With Extremely Cheap Tickets

A very low fare can look attractive, but travellers should check the conditions before booking. Look at the airline, departure and arrival times, baggage allowance, airport, cancellation policy and whether the ticket is refundable or changeable. During the festive season, saving ₹500 on the ticket may not be worthwhile if the flight has an inconvenient schedule or expensive additional charges..

Should You Book Flights Early for Diwali?

For passengers with fixed Diwali travel plans, early planning is generally more sensible than waiting until the final few days. Diwali in 2026 falls on November 8, and demand around the festival is expected to be strong. Recent reports have already highlighted higher fares on certain routes around the Diwali period. However, travellers should avoid treating early booking as a guarantee of the lowest possible fare. Airfares remain dynamic, and prices can vary according to route, airline, demand and seat availability. The better strategy is to monitor prices, compare dates and book once you find a reasonable fare..

What About International Flights?

Festive-season pricing pressure is not limited to domestic travel. Indians living abroad often travel back home during Dussehra and Diwali, creating additional demand on India-bound international routes..

For example, recent fare checks for UAE-India routes found that several destinations were still available at relatively affordable levels in late September, although travel agents expected prices to increase as demand strengthened from mid-October. This again highlights the importance of checking fares well before the peak travel period..

7 Smart Tips to Save Money on Festive Flight Tickets

1. Compare multiple dates: A small change in your travel date can make a significant difference..

2. Book before the peak rush: If your dates are fixed, avoid waiting until the last few days..

3. Compare airlines: Don't assume the same route will have similar prices across all carriers..

4. Check nearby airports: Another airport may offer better fares, but calculate the additional ground-travel cost..

5. Watch baggage charges: A low base fare can become expensive after adding luggage and other services..

6. Compare one-way and return fares: Festival travel patterns can make one direction considerably more expensive..

7. Track prices before booking: Monitor the fare for your preferred route and book when the overall price makes sense for your budget..

Flight Ticket Price Hike: What Travellers Should Remember

The current increase in airfares does not mean that every flight in India has suddenly become expensive. The impact varies from route to route and date to date. Recent data shows significant increases on several busy domestic sectors, while some routes have seen much smaller changes. For festive-season travellers, the biggest mistake may be waiting until the last moment without checking alternatives. Compare dates, look at different departure times, check baggage and other charges, and consider nearby airports where practical. Most importantly, don't judge a flight only by the headline ticket price. The final cost, convenience and flexibility matter just as much. With demand expected to remain strong through the festive and year-end travel period, travellers with fixed plans may benefit from planning ahead rather than leaving their bookings until the last minute..