New Delhi: With the festive season around the corner and domestic travel demand surging across India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has moved swiftly to ensure passengers are protected from steep fare hikes. Acting on a mandate from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the aviation regulator has directed airlines to increase flight capacities on high-demand routes to stabilise ticket prices.
The DGCA’s proactive intervention follows concerns that airfares tend to spike sharply during festivals such as Durga Puja, Dussehra and Diwali, when millions of travellers fly home or vacation across the country. The regulator engaged directly with airlines to assess capacity plans and instructed them to deploy additional flights where required to prevent undue fare escalation.
Responding to the DGCA’s directive, major carriers have announced a significant expansion in flight operations for the upcoming festive period. IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, will operate approximately 730 additional flights across 42 sectors, bolstering connectivity between key metros and regional destinations. Air India and Air India Express together plan to introduce around 486 additional flights on 20 routes, focusing on high-traffic corridors that traditionally see capacity shortages during peak travel periods. SpiceJet has also stepped up, committing to 546 additional flights spanning 38 sectors.
Officials said these steps would help balance demand and supply, ensuring that passengers are not burdened with exorbitant ticket prices. “The DGCA has taken a proactive approach to ensure fair pricing and adequate capacity during the festive rush,” a senior official said. “We will continue to closely monitor both airfares and flight deployment to safeguard consumer interests.”
The regulator has also reiterated that airlines must maintain transparency in fare structures and comply with civil aviation guidelines on dynamic pricing. The DGCA will conduct real-time monitoring of airfares and load factors through its data systems to identify any unjustified surge in ticket prices.
With over 1,700 additional flights planned collectively by major airlines, industry observers expect a smoother travel experience this festive season. The move is also expected to benefit smaller airports and tier-2 cities, many of which are witnessing growing passenger demand under the government’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
As the festive travel season takes off, the DGCA’s vigilant oversight aims to strike the right balance between commercial viability for airlines and affordability for passengers — ensuring that festive cheer is not dampened by inflated airfares.