Fewer seats, greater fares: Why flying house this festive season prices extra
Air India, the nation’s second-largest airline, has 3.3 million seats in October 2026, a capability contraction of 12.6% (478,000 fewer seats) in contrast with final 12 months. The airline, which is restructuring its operations amid heavy monetary losses, saved capability on the similar degree as in August 2026, sometimes a lean journey interval. Capability was even decrease in September 2026, at 3.2 million seats.
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The capability contraction is including additional strain on airfares. SpiceJet lowered capability on the quickest price—38.8%, or 241,000 fewer seats. Akasa Air was the one airline to extend capability, by 35.6%.
Airways have been rationalising capability amid excessive jet gas costs, geopolitical challenges and the rupee’s depreciation towards the greenback. Earlier this month, IndiGo revised its gas surcharge on home and worldwide routes due to excessive jet gas costs.
Excessive-demand routes
Mumbai–Delhi stays India’s busiest home route, with 681,800 seats, up 7% from final 12 months. Bengaluru (BLR)–Delhi (DEL) is once more the second-busiest home route, with 475,100 seats, a 1% contraction in capability in contrast with October 2025.
Capability on the Kolkata–Delhi (CCU–DEL) route elevated on the quickest price, rising 13% to 325,000 seats. Stories point out that fares on sure home routes have risen by as a lot as 70% due to festive journey demand.
Amid rising fares, the Centre knowledgeable the Supreme Court docket that guidelines beneath the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, had been finalised and could be printed inside two weeks. The courtroom directed the Centre to position the printed guidelines earlier than it on the subsequent listening to, scheduled for November 16.
In July this 12 months, the courtroom had directed the Centre to submit the proposed guidelines in a sealed cowl and referred to as for the rationalisation of airfares.
