Indore: Airfares fly high ahead of Diwali

If you are planning to fly this Diwali, be prepared to spend more as airfares have shot up. A look at the airfares for October 22 for Indore-Delhi reveals that minimum fares are up by at least 30%.

If you are planning to fly this Diwali, be prepared to spend more as airfares have shot up. A look at the airfares for October 22 for Indore-Delhi reveals that minimum fares are up by at least 30%.

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Travel agents say that airlines are looking to offset the massive discounts that were offered recently in the domestic sector during the off season. For instance, the Indore-Mumbai fare for a Jet flight for October 22 is Rs 6,109 as compared to only Rs 3,400 for December 30, 2014. In July-September period, the airlines were offering special discounts due to off season and increasing competition. Usually, Indore-Mumbai fare during the off season for tickets booked well in advance is around Rs 2,400.

"This is the time for airlines to make up for losses suffered on huge discount sales during the off season. For example, Jet had come out with a limited period massive discount offer in September when it had offered an all-inclusive fare of Rs 1,000 for Indore-Mumbai sector for journey dates from January 15, 2015 onwards. Same is the case with other airlines," Exotic Travels' Dilip Ramani said.

All the airlines including Jet, Indigo, Spice Jet and the national carrier Air India have hiked the fares on this sector. Airfare usually rises in festive season but this year there has already been a steep hike, particularly for tickets booked on short notice for destinations such as Mumbai and Delhi.

Fares at a glance

Indore-Delhi fare for October 22
Airline Minimum fare
Jet 7,089
Indigo 5,737
Spice Jet 3,750
Air India 6,056

Indore-Delhi fare for December 30
Airline Minimum fare
Jet 5,400
Indigo 4,530
Spice Jet 2,450
Air India 3,166