After Diwali, there is a surge in demand for train and flight tickets for Chhath Puja. According to recent reports, airfares have soared for flights to Bihar and Jharkhand from across the country.
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The cost of flights to Patna and Darbhanga now exceeds fares for international destinations like Dubai, Malaysia, Bangkok and Singapore. Reports indicate a significant rise in airfares for flights to Bihar from cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Surat.
Travel agent Rakesh Arora noted that fare hikes during the festive season are common, but this year, the increase is particularly steep. Despite the high prices, tickets remain scarce. Flight fares from Delhi and Mumbai to Patna and Darbhanga range from Rs 13,000 to Rs 18,000. Similarly, fares from Surat to Patna for travel between November 4-6 range from Rs 13,000 to Rs 18,000. In comparison, fares for international flights from Delhi to Dubai, Malaysia, Bangkok and Singapore currently range from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000.
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During Chhath Puja, thousands of people from across the country travel to UP, Bihar and Jharkhand, resulting in packed trains. Travel agents are unable to secure tickets despite charging higher fees. This spike in airfares is temporary, as fares are expected to normalise post-Chhath Puja.
Reports show that, as Diwali and Chhath Puja approach, average domestic airfares have decreased by 20-25 per cent compared to last year, due to increased capacity and recent drops in oil prices. According to a report by travel platform Ixigo, this figure represents average one-way fares based on bookings made 30 days in advance, comparing data from November 10-16, 2023, with data from October 28-November 3, 2024.
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This year, the average fare for a Bengaluru-Kolkata flight fell by 38 per cent from Rs 10,195 to Rs 6,319, and fares on the Chennai-Kolkata route dropped 36 per cent, from Rs 8,725 to Rs 5,604. Likewise, the Mumbai-Delhi flight fare decreased by 34 per cent, from Rs 8,788 to Rs 5,762.
