As India gears up for its vibrant festive season, major airlines are taking proactive steps to ensure seamless travel experiences for millions of people. IndiGo and Air India, two of the country’s leading airlines, are introducing additional flights to key destinations across India, catering to the anticipated surge in travel demand. With Diwali and Durga Puja just around the corner, families are eager to reunite and celebrate together. To accommodate this influx of travelers, airlines are deploying larger aircraft, offering attractive deals, and expanding their flight schedules to ensure smooth journeys for everyone.
The strategic addition of flights not only meets the immediate needs of festive travel but also offers a long-term boost to the Indian aviation sector, which has been steadily recovering in recent years. The special flights will connect major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Chennai, providing passengers with more travel options and reducing the likelihood of last-minute price hikes. Travelers are advised to book early to take advantage of the expanded services and avoid potential fare increases as the festive season approaches.
IndiGo, the dominant player in India’s aviation market with over 60% share, is at the forefront of this expansion. They have announced two additional flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Kolkata, starting on October 4, 2024, just in time for Durga Puja. Additionally, six more flights have been launched to and from South India, covering key routes such as Kochi-Chennai and Chennai-Hyderabad, to accommodate the growing number of travelers during the Onam festival. To further enhance connectivity, IndiGo has introduced several new domestic routes, connecting cities like Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Bangalore to emerging hubs such as Vijayawada, Hirasar, and Jabalpur. These new routes will significantly benefit states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, offering residents and businesses greater travel options and smoother connectivity.
Air India is also playing a pivotal role in meeting the festive season demand by increasing flight frequency on the Delhi-Kolkata and Mumbai-Kolkata routes. Effective September 20, 2024, the airline will offer 35 weekly flights between Delhi and Kolkata and 28 between Mumbai and Kolkata. Air India has also added daily non-stop services from Bangalore and Hyderabad to Kolkata, providing passengers with convenient travel options during the festive period.
Meanwhile, Air India Express is expanding its presence in Eastern India by adding Agartala as its 32nd domestic destination. The airline has launched new routes connecting Agartala to Guwahati and Kolkata, offering passengers seamless connections to eight major domestic cities, including Delhi and Bangalore. With the introduction of five new routes, Air India Express is strengthening its presence in the domestic market, particularly in underserved regions.
This festive season marks a significant shift for Indian aviation. Airlines are proactively responding to passenger demand with innovative solutions, enhanced services, and increased flight frequencies. These efforts will not only help families reunite during the holidays but also provide a much-needed boost to the country’s aviation sector, ensuring a brighter future for Indian travel.
