The ongoing operational crisis at India's largest carrier, IndiGo, has created a windfall for its competitors operating out of Mangaluru International Airport (MIA). With a significant number of IndiGo flights being cancelled, other airlines have sharply increased their ticket prices, capitalising on the sudden surge in demand from stranded travellers.
Fares Reach Astronomical Levels
Passengers looking for last-minute alternatives are facing sticker shock. Air India Express has raised its one-way fare to Bengaluru from Mangaluru to a staggering Rs 17,000. The situation is even more extreme for longer routes; a ticket to Mumbai now costs an astounding Rs 31,000, while a journey from Delhi to Mangaluru can set a traveller back by Rs 24,000. The problem is compounded by IndiGo's policy of not offering penalty-free cancellations, leaving customers feeling shortchanged and trapped.
Passenger Plight During Peak Season
The timing of this disruption could not be worse, coinciding with the peak wedding season in the region. Numerous travellers have been forced to cancel their plans entirely. One passenger from Delhi shared his frustration: he had to abandon his trip to attend his best friend's wedding in Mangaluru after his IndiGo flight was cancelled and alternative fares were unaffordable. "A one-way journey would cost me Rs 24,000!" he exclaimed.
Even those willing to pay extra are struggling to find seats. Sanjay Kamath, a digital marketer, recounted the ordeal of his relatives who had travelled from Dubai for a festival and wedding. Their connecting flight from Mangaluru was cancelled, forcing them to hire a taxi to Mumbai to catch their international flight back to Dubai. Some passengers noted that while the government has since enforced temporary fare caps, the intervention came too late for many.
Railways Step In, But Relief Is Limited
With air travel becoming prohibitively expensive or unavailable, passengers have turned to Indian Railways, only to find another hurdle. Most trains have long waitlists extending until the first week of January. In response to the crisis, Indian Railways has decided to add extra coaches to several trains and run special services from key locations to help stranded air passengers. However, this offers limited solace to those needing immediate travel.
Amid the chaos, there were small gestures of support. Some passengers stranded for long hours at MIA reported that the ground staff and officials of IndiGo were quite helpful in managing the difficult situation. Despite the operational meltdown, the human effort on the ground provided a slight respite to the inconvenienced travellers.
