NEW DELHI, Jan 29: Amidst passengers facing steep airfares for flights to Prayagraj, the civil aviation minister urged airlines on Wednesday to keep ticket prices reasonable. Sources indicate that IndiGo, the largest airline in the country, has lowered fares for the city by 30-50%.
This update coincided with remarks from Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, who described the airfares to Prayagraj as “exorbitantly high,” and called for action from the aviation regulator, DGCA, to help reduce prices.
As the Kumbh Mela looms, demand for flights to Prayagraj has surged, prompting the civil aviation ministry to request airlines to adjust their fare structures.
On Wednesday, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, accompanied by Secretary V Vualnam and DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, convened with airline representatives to discuss Prayagraj flights.
They evaluated the “sufficiency of air connectivity to Prayagraj from across the nation while ensuring reasonable fares during the once in 144 years Maha Kumbh Mahotsav,” the ministry stated in a post on X.
The ministry also noted that regular coordination meetings are being conducted to facilitate a smooth and comfortable travel experience for the millions of devotees expected to attend the world’s largest religious gathering from January 13 to February 26, 2025.
In another post on X, Naidu mentioned that he engaged with airline representatives to assess the air connectivity available to Prayagraj while advocating for fair fares during the Maha Kumbh.
According to sources, IndiGo has slashed ticket prices for Prayagraj flights by 30-50%.
The airline has not yet commented on this development.
Currently, IndiGo’s fares for Delhi-Prayagraj flights range from slightly over Rs 13,500 for February 16; Rs 21,200 for January 31; and the lowest fares dip to about Rs 9,000 for February 12, as indicated on its website.
At present, IndiGo offers services to Prayagraj from Lucknow, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad.
An Air India spokesperson confirmed that the airline is increasing its capacity to Prayagraj.
“We have launched a special daily service from Mumbai on January 28 and are adding a second daily service from Delhi starting February 1. These new flights will make travel more convenient and affordable for passengers heading to the Kumbh,” the spokesperson stated.
The pricing of air tickets in India is deregulated, implying no upper or lower limits on fare amounts.
Earlier in the day, Joshi stated that the sky-high airfares have hindered people’s ability to plan their travels for the Maha Kumbh.
“In consideration of consumer interests, we have approached @DGCAIndia to implement measures aimed at reducing airfare costs,” he posted on X.
Air India, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet have not provided immediate comments regarding the airfares for Prayagraj flights.
On Monday, the civil aviation ministry announced initiatives to stabilize airfares for Prayagraj flights and noted an increase in flight numbers to accommodate growing travel demand.
Presently, there are 132 flights and approximately 80,000 available monthly seats to Prayagraj from various cities across India. The city now has direct flight connections with 17 cities, up from eight in December 2024.
The ministry also highlighted that Prayagraj boasts direct and connecting flights to 26 cities, including Srinagar and Visakhapatnam.
The Maha Kumbh, which commenced on January 13, will wrap up on February 26. *PTI)
