Air travel from Patna has become significantly more expensive due to the ongoing wedding season in Bihar. With thousands of people returning from cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Chennai to attend weddings and family ceremonies, airlines have sharply increased fares across most major routes. This surge in demand has led to airfares skyrocketing, with some domestic ticket prices now exceeding those of international flights, including routes to London.
Patna-Kolkata Route Exceeds London Flight Prices
One of the most dramatic price hikes has been observed on the Patna-Kolkata route. On this sector, ticket prices have risen to levels that surpass long-haul international flights. For example, according to data from MakeMyTrip, a connecting flight from Air India via Mumbai (AI 2790, AI 2643) for December 5 is priced at Rs 66,000. In comparison, the cost of a flight from Delhi to London on the same day is just Rs 27,026, which is less than half the price of the Patna-Kolkata ticket.
Other Major Routes See Price Increases
The Patna-Delhi route, which is typically priced between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000, has seen a massive price surge. The same flights are now being sold for over Rs 51,000 on Air India (AI 2790, AI 9487). Despite these steep price increases, most flights continue to operate at nearly full capacity, reflecting the high demand during this peak wedding season.
Travellers heading to Mumbai are also facing inflated fares. Tickets that usually cost Rs 8,000 to Rs 9,000 are now priced between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000. Some services, like Air India’s AI 9585 and AI 2451, have tickets listed at Rs 52,303. Both non-stop and one-stop options have become significantly more expensive, making it difficult for travellers to find affordable alternatives.
Other Routes: Bengaluru and Chennai Also See Major Fare Hikes
Travelling from Patna to Bengaluru has also become considerably more expensive. A ticket that normally costs around Rs 7,000 has now crossed Rs 60,000. For December 5, flights with Air India (AI 9585 and AI 2803) were listed at Rs 60,666. Similarly, the Patna-Chennai route has seen a dramatic increase in fares. Tickets that typically cost Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 have now risen to over Rs 50,000. Air India flights AI 2790 and AI 2827 on this route were priced at Rs 50,755.
Why Are Airfares So High?
Aviation experts say that the wedding season, particularly in November and December, is the peak travel period in Bihar. Many migrant workers return home for brief visits during this time, leading to a surge in travel demand. Flight operations are limited during this season, and with such high demand over a short window, airlines have no choice but to raise fares.
As more and more people travel for weddings, the increase in demand and limited availability of flights has led to an unprecedented surge in airfares. This means that passengers are paying significantly more than they normally would for domestic flights, with prices sometimes surpassing even international flight costs.
The Impact on Passengers
This surge in airfares has left passengers with limited options. With fares for popular routes like Patna-Kolkata, Patna-Delhi, Patna-Mumbai, Patna-Bengaluru, and Patna-Chennai skyrocketing, travellers are being forced to pay these inflated rates. Many have expressed frustration over the lack of affordable options, as the high prices leave them with few alternatives.
Experts Predict Price Stabilization After Wedding Season
According to experts, the high airfares are expected to stabilize only after the second week of December, once the wedding travel rush begins to taper off. As the demand for flights decreases, airlines may bring prices back to normal levels. Until then, passengers will have to contend with high prices for domestic flights, which are currently out of reach for many.
In conclusion, the wedding season in Bihar has caused a dramatic rise in airfares from Patna. With ticket prices on major routes exceeding those of international flights, passengers are being forced to pay significantly more for their domestic travels. The surge in demand, combined with limited flight availability, has created a perfect storm for price hikes. While the situation is expected to improve in the coming weeks, passengers continue to feel the pinch during this peak travel period.
