From mint · Shipra Singh · · 1m 50s
Airfares Surge as Travelers Rethink Year-End Holidays
Domestic and international airfares rise 30-70% as travelers shift to cheaper alternatives.
In brief
Domestic and international airfares rise 30-70% as travelers shift to cheaper alternatives. Rising airfares due to fuel costs and rupee depreciation force travelers to reconsider December holidays. Originally reported by mint.
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.
The one thing
Rising airfares due to fuel costs and rupee depreciation force travelers to reconsider December holidays.
