In light of the ongoing Maha Kumbh event in Prayagraj, airfares to the city have skyrocketed due to overwhelming demand. A senior government official revealed that the Central government has urged airlines to regulate their prices and increase the number of flights to the area.
This grand gathering is expected to draw over 450 million pilgrims as it progresses. In response to reports of soaring airfares to Prayagraj, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) conducted an internal review on Monday.
According to industry experts, the average fare for a one-way ticket between January 28 and February 4, 2025, has surged by more than 100% compared to the previous year due to heightened demand. Currently, one-way tickets from Delhi to Prayagraj are priced between ₹15,000 and ₹30,000 for immediate travel, a significant jump from the usual cost of around ₹5,000.
To prepare for the influx of attendees, the MoCA had previously instructed airlines to boost their flight capacity to 132 flights per week to Prayagraj from various cities. A MoCA official stated, “Given the grand celebration of the Maha Kumbh, we have advised scheduled operators to maximize their capacity to and from Prayagraj.” Previously, airlines were operating about 50 flights to the city, but this number has now increased to 132. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is closely monitoring the pricing structure, and airlines have been required to provide their pricing for all flights to and from Prayagraj for further evaluation.
Several airlines, including SpiceJet and Akasa, have announced new flights to Prayagraj, which recently underwent upgrades and refurbishments. Other carriers such as IndiGo, Air India Express, and Alliance Air have also added their flights, connecting Prayagraj to cities including Delhi, Bhubaneswar, Bangalore, Mumbai, and many others.
Responding to the reports of airfare hikes, an official indicated that most ticket prices reflect “last-minute booking price inflation.” Data from the ixigo travel portal indicates that average spot fares for flights from Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai to Prayagraj range between ₹17,000 and ₹33,000 for January 29.
Bharatt Malik, Senior Vice President – Air and Hotel Business at Yatra Online, remarked, “With the anticipation surrounding Maha Kumbh 2025, many airlines have rolled out special flights to Prayagraj, providing more options for travelers. For those looking to attend this significant event, airfares currently reflect a four- to five-fold increase, ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹18,000.” He added that this trend is likely to persist until Maha Shivratri on February 26, after which fares could return to a more affordable range of ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 for those with flexible travel plans.
Recently, MoCA announced the introduction of 81 new flights in January 2025. Prayagraj is now directly connected to 17 cities via flights, an increase from eight cities in December 2024. Including both direct and connecting flights, Prayagraj connects to 26 cities across the country, including Srinagar and Visakhapatnam.
These additional flights aim to enhance regional connectivity and accommodate the expected influx of pilgrims during the Maha Kumbh. The Ministry noted that the increased flight availability is expected to alleviate pressure on airfares and improve overall accessibility for devotees and tourists.
The railway services have also made extensive preparations for the Maha Kumbh 2025, scheduling over 13,000 trains to operate during the event. Shashikant Tripathi, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Central Railway, stated that more than 400 “Mela special trains” will run during “Mauni Amavasya,” with over 150 additional trains deployed on the main bathing day. Furthermore, around 200 regular trains will operate daily. To enhance passenger convenience, four daily ring rail services and shuttle services from Prayagraj Junction to Ayodhya will be introduced to assist travelers from Varanasi and other significant locations. In total, around 800 long-distance “Kumbh Mela special trains” will be running from over 50 cities across 22 states.
