# Airfares Surge as Travelers Rethink Year-End Holidays

> Domestic and international airfares rise 30-70% as travelers shift to cheaper alternatives.
- Title: Airfares Surge as Travelers Rethink Year-End Holidays · mint
- Summary: Domestic and international airfares rise 30-70% as travelers shift to cheaper alternatives. Rising airfares due to fuel costs and rupee depreciation force…
- Keywords: domestic flights, international airfares, rupee depreciation, fuel costs, holiday travel, december holidays, airline capacity, travel costs, news, india, Airfares, Surge
- Source: mint — https://livemint.com/money/personal-finance/india-airfares-surge-december-holidays-travel-costs-11792995743679.html
- Author: Shipra Singh
- Published: 2026-10-26T08:23:31+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: domestic flights, international airfares, rupee depreciation, fuel costs, holiday travel, december holidays, airline capacity, travel costs, news, india
## Airfares Soar
Domestic airfares are 30-40% higher than a year ago due to fuel costs, a weaker rupee, and limited flight capacity.
## Traveler Shifts
Soumi Pal scrapped flying her parents from Kolkata to Mumbai for train travel after airfares rose to ₹20,000 per person.
## Fuel Costs Spike
Aviation turbine fuel now accounts for 55-60% of operating costs after repeated price hikes amid the West Asia war.
## Rupee Depreciation
The rupee crossed 90 to the dollar in early December last year, went past 93 in March, and has been past 94 since.
## Airlines Cut Frequencies
Several domestic airlines reduced flight frequencies on certain routes to contain costs, limiting seat availability.
## December Flights Costlier
Direct return flights from Delhi to Goa for December cost ₹25,000 per person, up 67% from last year's ₹15,000-20,00.
## International Airfares Rise
Airfares to European destinations have risen 60-70% due to West Asia disruptions and reduced flight capacity.
## Southeast Asia Shift
Delhi-Bangkok return fares are ₹28,000-48,000 for December, up from ₹25,300 last Christmas.
## Traveler Budgets Hit
Bengaluru-based Devashish Sharma paid ₹19,000 for non-stop flights to Thailand last year but ₹55,000 this December.
## Holiday Alternatives
Pune-based Rahul Dokania switched from Bali to Kerala after airfares rose to ₹60,000 per person.
## Date Shift Saves Money
Traveling a fortnight earlier could save a couple ₹32,000 on Delhi-Bangkok flights during peak dates.
## Long-Term Impact
Higher operating costs and rupee depreciation may force travelers to reduce trips or cut holiday budgets.
## Key takeaway

Rising airfares due to fuel costs and rupee depreciation force travelers to reconsider December holidays.