MUMBAI: With Diwali less than a fortnight away, air fares are already at their peak. While
seats are fast running out due to last-minute bookings, no direct flights are
available on some sectors. So, if you are planning to travel weekend-to-weekend
(from November 10-18), a round trip to any of the metros or some Tier-II cities
would cost you nothing less than Rs 13,000-18,000. In some instances, the
lowest available fares are as high as Rs 20,000. Although the demand, according
to tour operators, has been lower than last year, the proximity to the festival
of lights and limited seats in the market have combined to push the fares to
new heights.
According to tour operators and travel portals, a round trip ticket to Delhi is priced between Rs 16,000-19,000. Delhi, one of the most well-connected cities in the country, is already one of the most expensive destinations by air. During Diwali, the national capital is one of the most popular destinations in the country-which, said operators, pushes up prices. Kolkata, another hot favourite during the festival, is also the most expensive this season.
A return fare to the city now costs anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 23,000. Also, only a couple of direct flights are now available for Kolkata; the rest go either through Vishakapatnamor Bangalore.
Mumbai-Chennai, a sector that remains more or less unaffected by the steep fluctuations in fares, has also seen a jump in fares. A round trip to Chennai would set travellers back by at least Rs 12,000-13,000. No direct flights are available to the most travelled Tier-II cities during Diwali-Jaipur and Lucknow. A return fare to Jaipur is now pitched at Rs 15,000-17,000; tickets to Lucknow are even dearer at Rs 21,000-25,000.
"The rise is in anticipation of a Diwali rush. Many people book one or two weeks in advance, hence fares always soar as the festival approaches. The demand has suddenly gone up closer to the festival. Also, since most people had booked in advance, there are few seats available, causing a natural rise in fares," said Rajesh Rateria, managing director, Cirrus Travels.
Rateria said that the fares have been generally high this season compared to previous years. "The fares peak during Diwali; however, this year there has been a general hike in prices due to factors like the hike in airport charges and fuel costs, which have cumulatively added to the cost of operations."
Pradip Lulla, director, Cupid Travels, pointed out that the absence of Kingfisher Airlines inventory in the market has caused a serious drop in the number of available seats, and consequently sent fares northward. Lulla said that the number of flyers in general has come down this year compared to the last few years, but a paucity of seats has kept the fares high.
Agents, however, pointed out that travellers can cut down on the cost of fares if they choose to travel back before November 18. Air fares right after Diwali are at least 20% lower than those on the weekend. For instance, if one chooses to travel back on November 16 or 17, a ticket from Delhi to Mumbai would cost Rs 5,500, thereby bringing down the round trip expenses by at least Rs 2,000. Similarly, a ticket from Jaipur to Mumbai on these dates is available for Rs 4,500, bringing the total trip cost down by at least Rs 3,000.
"The fares are low right after Diwali as many people won't travel till Bhaubeej. Most travellers are set to return by Sunday, November 18. Hence, those who want to cut down on the travel expense a bit can opt for those days and get better deals," a Fort-based agent said.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Diwali-air-fares-will-burn-a-big-hole-in-your-wallet/articleshow/17012545.cmsAccording to tour operators and travel portals, a round trip ticket to Delhi is priced between Rs 16,000-19,000. Delhi, one of the most well-connected cities in the country, is already one of the most expensive destinations by air. During Diwali, the national capital is one of the most popular destinations in the country-which, said operators, pushes up prices. Kolkata, another hot favourite during the festival, is also the most expensive this season.
A return fare to the city now costs anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 23,000. Also, only a couple of direct flights are now available for Kolkata; the rest go either through Vishakapatnamor Bangalore.
Mumbai-Chennai, a sector that remains more or less unaffected by the steep fluctuations in fares, has also seen a jump in fares. A round trip to Chennai would set travellers back by at least Rs 12,000-13,000. No direct flights are available to the most travelled Tier-II cities during Diwali-Jaipur and Lucknow. A return fare to Jaipur is now pitched at Rs 15,000-17,000; tickets to Lucknow are even dearer at Rs 21,000-25,000.
"The rise is in anticipation of a Diwali rush. Many people book one or two weeks in advance, hence fares always soar as the festival approaches. The demand has suddenly gone up closer to the festival. Also, since most people had booked in advance, there are few seats available, causing a natural rise in fares," said Rajesh Rateria, managing director, Cirrus Travels.
Rateria said that the fares have been generally high this season compared to previous years. "The fares peak during Diwali; however, this year there has been a general hike in prices due to factors like the hike in airport charges and fuel costs, which have cumulatively added to the cost of operations."
Pradip Lulla, director, Cupid Travels, pointed out that the absence of Kingfisher Airlines inventory in the market has caused a serious drop in the number of available seats, and consequently sent fares northward. Lulla said that the number of flyers in general has come down this year compared to the last few years, but a paucity of seats has kept the fares high.
Agents, however, pointed out that travellers can cut down on the cost of fares if they choose to travel back before November 18. Air fares right after Diwali are at least 20% lower than those on the weekend. For instance, if one chooses to travel back on November 16 or 17, a ticket from Delhi to Mumbai would cost Rs 5,500, thereby bringing down the round trip expenses by at least Rs 2,000. Similarly, a ticket from Jaipur to Mumbai on these dates is available for Rs 4,500, bringing the total trip cost down by at least Rs 3,000.
"The fares are low right after Diwali as many people won't travel till Bhaubeej. Most travellers are set to return by Sunday, November 18. Hence, those who want to cut down on the travel expense a bit can opt for those days and get better deals," a Fort-based agent said.
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