As airfares for flights to Prayagraj soared in response to heightened demand due to the ongoing Kumbh Mela, the Civil Aviation Ministry has intervened, urging airlines to maintain reasonable ticket prices. In a positive development, sources have confirmed that India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has reduced its fares to the city by 30-50%.
The issue was raised by Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, who described airfares for Prayagraj flights as “exorbitantly high” and urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take action to bring prices down. His comments coincided with a meeting on Wednesday between Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, and senior airline officials to discuss the issue.
Airlines Under Scrutiny:
The Ministry’s meeting focused on ensuring adequate air connectivity to Prayagraj while keeping the fares reasonable, especially considering the massive influx of pilgrims for the Maha Kumbh, the world’s largest religious gathering, taking place from January 13 to February 26, 2025.
The Ministry emphasized the need for airlines to rationalize ticket prices, given the significant surge in demand for flights to the city during the Kumbh Mela period. IndiGo, which operates flights from major cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad to Prayagraj, has responded by slashing ticket prices for its services to Prayagraj by 30-50%. Sources indicate that the fare for a Delhi-Prayagraj flight, for example, now starts at just over Rs 13,500, down from as high as Rs 21,200 earlier this week. Lower fares, starting at around Rs 9,000, are now available for travel on February 12.
Increased Capacity from Air India:
Air India has also stepped up its operations to Prayagraj, introducing a special daily service from Mumbai starting January 28, and a second daily service from Delhi, set to commence on February 1. An Air India spokesperson confirmed that these additional flights aim to ease travel to the Kumbh Mela and offer more affordable options for passengers.
The civil aviation ministry had already increased the number of flights to Prayagraj to accommodate the rising demand. The number of flights has been boosted to 132, with approximately 80,000 seats available monthly. Prayagraj is now connected directly to 17 cities, up from eight in December 2024, with flights reaching 26 cities in total, including new routes from Srinagar and Visakhapatnam.
Government’s Commitment to Consumers:
Minister Joshi also addressed the issue on social media, acknowledging that high airfares had made it difficult for many people to plan their travels to the Kumbh Mela. “Keeping consumers’ interests in mind, we have written to @DGCAIndia to take steps to reduce the prices of airfares,” Joshi posted on X.
While no immediate statements were issued by other airlines like Akasa Air and SpiceJet regarding the airfares to Prayagraj, the ongoing government intervention highlights the seriousness of addressing the concerns raised by consumers and ensuring fair pricing during this major religious event.
The Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, is expected to draw millions of devotees, with the event concluding on February 26, 2025.
