With the Maha Kumbh Mela drawing pilgrims from Pune and increasing travel demand, IndiGo has announced a direct flight from Pune to Prayagraj, starting February 16.
The flight will operate six days a week-Monday to Friday and Sunday-while remaining non-operational on Saturdays. Flight 6E 2062 will depart from Prayagraj at 11:10 AM and arrive in Pune at 1:10 PM. In the return direction, Flight 6E 2065 will take off from Pune at 2:00 PM and land in Prayagraj at 4:10 PM.
According to sources, these flights will commence operations from February 16 and may continue until the Mahakumbh concludes. While IndiGo has not officially disclosed the fares, online ticket booking platforms indicate prices starting at over Rs 20,000.
First direct flight from Pune to Prayagraj
Before this launch, no direct flight service existed between Pune and Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela. With this new route, IndiGo becomes the fourth airline to operate flights on this sector, following Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India-all of which operate with layovers.
Rising concerns over soaring airfares
Many passengers have expressed concerns over the skyrocketing ticket prices. Airfares for these flights reportedly start at Rs 20,000 and go up to Rs 60,000, making travel difficult for devotees.
Several Pune-based passengers and organizations have raised this issue with Muralidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation, urging government intervention to regulate peak-season airfare surges.
Prathamesh Abnave, General Secretary of Maharashtra Youth Congress, has been vocal about the issue since the beginning of the Mela. “During festivals and summer holidays, airfares surge 2 to 4 times the normal rates, making travel unaffordable for middle- and lower-income groups. There should be a cap on surge pricing to ensure fair and affordable air travel,” he said.
He also urged the Civil Aviation Minister to take immediate action against price hikes.
“I recently flew to Prayagraj and personally experienced the steep surge in ticket prices, which doubled or even tripled from the original cost. Our minister is from Pune, and he should consider the sentiments of local devotees who wish to fulfill their spiritual aspirations of bathing in the Mahakumbh,” Abnave added