As India prepares for Diwali 2025 — the country’s largest and most widely celebrated festival — airfares are reaching unprecedented highs. Domestic ticket costs have surged 30–35% across major routes, straining millions of travelers hoping to reunite with family during the holiday rush.
Why Are India Airfares Rising So Sharply This Diwali?
Industry reports show that Diwali travel fares in 2025 are 20–35% higher than earlier this year, with some routes seeing prices nearly double.
On the popular Mumbai–Kolkata route, a one-way ticket that typically costs around ₹8,000 (about $95) is now selling for over ₹27,000 ($320), according to The Telegraph India. Travelers flying from Hyderabad to Nagpur or Kolkata are paying between ₹11,500 and ₹16,500 ($135–$190), up from the usual ₹4,500–₹6,500 ($53–$77), reports Trak.in.
Rikant Pittie, co-founder of the Indian travel platform EaseMyTrip, told Trak.in, “We’ve seen an average hike of 30–35 percent across our platform due to festive demand.” This Diwali flight price surge reflects a mix of pent-up travel demand and limited capacity.
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What’s Causing the Airfare Increase in India This Festive Season?
The airfare increase for flights to India during Diwali comes from a perfect storm of soaring demand, limited flight capacity, and dynamic pricing algorithms. October marks not only Diwali but also other major festivals such as Chhath, when millions of Indians travel home.
Even smaller cities and regional routes are being hit hard. With fewer direct India domestic flights during Diwali, travelers from places like Ahmedabad and Dibrugarh are paying disproportionately high fares — in some cases, more than ₹23,000 ($275) for a one-way domestic ticket.
How Are Airlines and Regulators Responding?
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Despite the steep prices, demand remains strong. Airlines such as IndiGo and Akasa Air have launched limited-time promotions, but experts say these discounts barely dent the overall cost increase. India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has urged airlines to keep fares “reasonable,” though no formal price caps have been imposed.
Industry analysts point to several structural factors driving the surge: rising fuel prices, higher airport fees, and an 18% goods and services tax (GST) on premium fares. Combined with algorithmic yield management systems that automatically raise prices as seats fill up, travelers have few affordable options left during this peak travel season in India.
When Will Airfares Normalize After Diwali 2025?
For U.S. readers, the situation mirrors the steep airfare hikes seen during Thanksgiving — but in India, where flying home for Diwali is often a once-a-year tradition, the impact feels more personal.
Airfares are expected to remain high through late October before stabilizing in early November, though analysts warn another spike could come during the year-end holidays.
For now, travel experts offer familiar advice: book early, stay flexible, and keep an eye out for last-minute fare drops. Otherwise, India’s festival of lights may bring joy on the ground but far less relief in the skies.
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*Banner photo by M-Production from Getty Images
