Airfare Soars Up to 200% After Removal of Caps, Stuns Hyderabad Travelers
Air travel has become significantly more expensive in a sudden and dramatic shift, catching numerous holidaymakers completely off guard. This sharp increase follows the Ministry of Civil Aviation's decision to remove the airfare caps that were imposed during the IndiGo crisis in December. Airlines have responded by hiking ticket prices aggressively, with some routes experiencing increases as high as 200%.
Sharpest Spikes Coincide with Good Friday Long Weekend
The surge in airfares is most pronounced around April 2 and 3, which aligns perfectly with the upcoming Good Friday long weekend. For instance, a one-way evening flight from Hyderabad to Goa—a relatively short route of approximately 500 kilometers—has skyrocketed to nearly Rs 15,000. This figure far exceeds the previous cap of Rs 10,000 and represents nearly triple the usual fare for this popular destination.
A similar upward trend is evident on longer domestic routes. Flights originating from Hyderabad to destinations such as Srinagar and Guwahati have now touched Rs 20,000, surpassing the earlier ceiling of Rs 18,000. This is particularly noteworthy given that these routes are typically priced much lower under normal circumstances.
Travel Agents Cite Shifting Plans and High Demand
According to travel industry experts, this price spike is being primarily driven by a significant shift in travel plans. Ongoing disruptions and geopolitical tensions in West Asia have prompted many travelers to opt for domestic holiday spots instead of international trips. This has resulted in a sudden rush for popular domestic destinations like Goa, Kashmir, Ooty, and Darjeeling during the three-day Good Friday break.
Most flights, especially evening departures and return journeys, are already filling up rapidly. "The trend is likely to continue throughout the holiday period as demand remains exceptionally high and available seats are limited," explained Moez Meghani, owner of Max Travels. "Tourist routes from Hyderabad to destinations such as Goa, Srinagar, Shimla, and Manali are witnessing heavy bookings. This year, bookings for the Good Friday weekend also commenced earlier than usual, which has further pushed prices upward."
Passengers Feel the Pinch of Unaffordable Fares
Passengers, however, are feeling the severe financial strain. Many express that the current airfares are becoming unaffordable for average travelers. "A short trip to Darjeeling, via Bagdogra, now costs almost as much as an international journey," said R Ajay Raj, a frequent flyer. "When I checked tickets for my family of three, the total came to nearly Rs 40,000, with each ticket priced between Rs 13,000 and Rs 14,000. That's comparable to fares for international destinations like Sri Lanka or Malaysia."
Government Clarifies Airfare Pricing Mechanism
In response to concerns, Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, clarified the regulatory stance. "Airfares are market-driven and operate under established provisions. Airlines are free to fix tariffs, taking into account all relevant factors including cost of operation, characteristics of services, and generally prevailing tariff," he stated.
While addressing a question on 'Airfare regulation on Middle East routes' in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, the minister elaborated that fares are determined by airlines considering market dynamics, demand, seasonality, prevailing international scenarios, and other market forces. He noted that airfare naturally increases with rising demand for seats as lower fare buckets sell out quickly, prompting a shift to higher fare buckets.
Comparative Airfare Data from Hyderabad
The dramatic increase is clearly illustrated in the following comparison of regular fares versus fares on April 2 and 3:
- Goa: Regular fare Rs 6,000 | Fares on Apr 2 & 3 Rs 15,000
- Srinagar: Regular fare Rs 10,000 | Fares on Apr 2 & 3 Rs 20,000
- Guwahati: Regular fare Rs 9,500 | Fares on Apr 2 & 3 Rs 20,000
- Bagdogra: Regular fare Rs 9,000 | Fares on Apr 2 & 3 Rs 14,000
- Indore: Regular fare Rs 6,700 | Fares on Apr 2 & 3 Rs 13,000
This data underscores the substantial financial impact on travelers planning trips during the holiday period, highlighting the challenges faced by consumers in the current aviation market.
