The Unfair Skies of Indian Air Travel
Every holiday season, festival, or major event in India brings with it an unwelcome yet predictable trend—skyrocketing airfares. Whether it’s Diwali, Holi, the summer vacation rush, or religious gatherings like the Maha Kumbh, airlines take advantage of the surge in demand by raising ticket prices exponentially.
The latest uproar has been triggered by exorbitant fares for flights to and from Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh 2025, with ticket prices rising four to five times the normal rate. Travelers have taken to social media to share their frustration, posting screenshots of airfares reaching nearly ₹1 lakh for return flights.
This issue highlights a larger problem—the lack of proper fare monitoring and regulatory mechanisms to check price manipulation by airlines. While airlines argue that prices are dictated by demand and supply, consumers question the fairness of the pricing formula.
So, how exactly do airlines determine ticket prices? And more importantly, why isn’t there a regulatory framework to protect passengers from exploitative pricing?
Maha Kumbh 2025: A Case of Airfare Exploitation
The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is one of the largest religious gatherings in the world, drawing millions of devotees. Naturally, there is a surge in demand for transportation. However, instead of ensuring affordability, airlines have capitalized on this surge, raising fares to unreasonable levels.
For example, a Delhi-Prayagraj return ticket that usually costs ₹12,000-₹15,000 shot up to over ₹50,000, with some travellers even reporting prices close to ₹1 lakh. A Mumbai-Prayagraj return flight on January 28 was priced at ₹41,000, leaving many pilgrims stranded or seeking alternative travel options.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was eventually forced to step in, directing airlines to rationalize their fares. But this reactionary measure highlights a lack of proactive regulation in India’s aviation sector.
A Larger Issue: The Monopoly Over Indian Skies
The problem isn’t limited to Prayagraj or the Kumbh Mela. High airfares during festivals, school vacations, and long weekends have become a year-round phenomenon in India.
This price surge is a direct result of the shrinking number of airlines in the Indian market. With Air India merging with Vistara, Go First ceasing operations, and SpiceJet struggling, the Indian aviation sector is now dominated by just two major players—IndiGo and Air India—controlling over 90% of the market.
This near-monopoly situation gives airlines significant pricing power, allowing them to increase fares without fear of competition. The demand-supply imbalance has only worsened due to:
Grounded aircraft – IndiGo has had to ground several Airbus A320neo planes due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues, further straining supply.
Delayed aircraft deliveries – Global supply-chain disruptions have slowed the addition of new planes to fleets.
Limited competition – Newer airlines like Akasa Air are still small players, unable to challenge the market leaders.
Despite these challenges, airlines continue to sell seats at inflated rates, raising concerns about market fairness and consumer protection.
The Big Question: How Are Airfares Determined?
Consumers and experts alike are asking a crucial question: What formula do airlines use to determine airfares?
Amitabh Tiwari, a former corporate banker, points out the lack of transparency in airline pricing. “Are airlines auctioning seats? What logic do they use to decide that a ticket should cost four or five times its normal price?” he asks.
While airlines often justify high fares by citing fuel prices, operational costs, and demand fluctuations, the reality is that:
The cost of service remains unchanged—the aircraft, crew, and fuel costs do not increase dramatically during festivals.
Seats are available, just at inflated prices—airlines are not running out of seats, they are simply charging significantly more.
Lack of government oversight allows profiteering—without proper checks, airlines have a free hand to manipulate pricing.
The Absence of a Regulatory Mechanism
Unlike other industries, there is no government body to monitor or cap airfare hikes during peak seasons. While the Competition Commission of India (CCI) exists to check monopolies, it does not have the mandate to prevent airlines from charging excessive fares.
Previously, when Air India was government-owned, it served as a benchmark for pricing, preventing private carriers from excessive hikes. With its privatization, this check is now gone.
Other industries, like healthcare and essential commodities, have price regulations during crises. So why is air travel—which is an essential service for many—left unchecked?
Consumer Frustration: The Reality of Travel Costs
Travelers have been vocal about their frustration with unfair airline pricing. Many are comparing domestic fares with international tickets, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
- A Bhubaneswar to Prayagraj flight costs ₹39,000, while a Bhubaneswar to Bangkok flight is just ₹10,000!
- Delhi to Surat return fare during the wedding season jumped from ₹6,500 to ₹16,000, forcing travellers to switch to trains or road travel.
- Even train tickets have become expensive due to dynamic pricing, further reducing affordable travel options.
The Way Forward: A Call for Regulation
For India’s aviation industry to grow while remaining fair to consumers, a balance must be struck between profitability and affordability.
- Regulatory oversight – The government must set up a dedicated regulatory body to monitor and control airfare spikes.
- Transparent pricing mechanisms – Airlines should be required to disclose their pricing formula for public scrutiny.
- Fair competition – Encouraging new entrants into the airline sector can reduce monopoly control and ensure fair pricing.
- Caps on festive surges – Just like essential commodities have price controls, airline fares during major events should have reasonable limits.
The Need for Fair Skies
While airlines need to remain profitable, their current pricing strategies are often exploitative and unfair. The Maha Kumbh airfare controversy is just another example of how Indian travelers are forced to pay exorbitant amounts without any regulatory protection.
If India truly wants to make air travel accessible for all, it is time for the government to step in and ensure transparency, competition, and fairness in airline pricing. Until then, passengers will continue to bear the burden of an unchecked aviation industry.
As airfares continue to soar, the biggest unanswered question remains—what is the real formula behind airline ticket pricing? And more importantly, who will hold the airlines accountable?
(With inputs from agencies)
