Your airfares would have been cheaper, but for Rupee

The falling rupee has ensured that fares are not as low as they usually are in the July-September off-season — traditionally considered a lean season for airlines when fares are generally the lowest.

The falling rupee has ensured that fares are not as low as they usually are in the July-September off-season — traditionally considered a lean season for airlines when fares are generally the lowest.

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“The fares would have been even lower but for the weakening rupee,” said Sharat Dhall, president of Yatra.com.

“Fares are at least 10% higher this year compared to the same period last year. The rupee slide has hit global travel hard as it has a direct impact on hotel tariffs, shopping, sight-seeing and other expenses,” said Rajji Rai, adviser, Travel Agents Association of India.

Fares in July are down 15%-20% against the previous month, analysts said.

Tickets booked two days in advance on the Delhi-Mumbai sector are available for Rs 5,300, Delhi-Kolkata for Rs 5,700, Delhi-Bangalore for Rs 6,300 and Delhi-Chennai for Rs 6,200.

“Additional competition (in the form of AirAsia India) might result in a further drop in fares,” said Dhall.