Rakshabandhan is turning out to be costly for many this year, especially for those making last-minute bookings. Flight fares from Ahmedabad have shot up to three to five times the usual rates, leaving many travellers grounded.
Data from online travel platforms shows Ahmedabad–Delhi flights on Friday and Saturday priced between ₹20,000 and ₹24,000. Ahmedabad–Bengaluru fares range from ₹10,000 to an eye-watering ₹31,000, while Ahmedabad–Mumbai tickets cost between ₹10,000 and ₹20,000.
No respite for Independence Day break
The upcoming August 15–16 long weekend, followed by Sunday, has encouraged many to take extra leave. However, fares remain high. On August 14, Ahmedabad–Delhi flights peak at ₹20,000, with returns on August 18 costing up to ₹15,000. Ahmedabad–Mumbai trips can touch ₹20,000 one way, while Bengaluru flights hover at ₹18,000–₹19,000 each way.
Criticism mounts over fare hikes
Travel agents say that despite seats being available, airlines are inflating prices, discouraging bookings. “Fares on specific weekend days shoot up astronomically,” said Hitesh Purohit, Treasurer of the Gujarat chapter of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI). Many Gujaratis are now skipping flights and heading to nearby destinations by road instead.