Flight fares rise with festivals

Chennai: With the festive season setting in across the country, one thing is inevitable - hike in domestic airfare. As demand for air tickets increases, prices for the same begin to steadily head northwards sometimes hitting an all-time high. Already, ahead of the festive season, prices of air tickets have risen by over 10-15 per cent.

These incessant hikes come just around a month before the festive season starting with Durga Puja and Dasara in October and then Deeapavali. Those who haven't booked their tickets are in for a rude shock as fares for one-way journey from Chennai are as high as Rs 28,000 and the minimum hovering around Rs 12,000-15,000.

"Starting October is the peak season when ticket prices soar. We have already started to get complaints. One complainant said he had to pay Rs 30,000 for a ticket from Hyderabad to Mumbai," said Sudhakar Reddy, president, Air Passengers Association of India (Chennai).

"The Prime Minister is unhappy as many forums have complained to him. The ministry's meeting with airlines won't yield any result. All stakeholders must be called together for a dialogue to work out a solution," he said.

There cannot be a price cap but at least there can be a procedure, he said. Attempts to communicate with DGCA yield no response, he said. Setting prices is completely in the hands of airlines but approval is given by DGCA, an official said. Airlines have fare buckets and in peak season they raise it so what can we do?" the DGCA official said.

"We get a surge in bookings during the festive season, as people head to places like Kolkata for Durga Puja. The fares are reflection of the demand on a particular period. How much the price goes up is dependent on how much inventory is available," said Sharat Dhall, president, Yatra.com. As a word of advice he suggested booking in advance.