Flying within India used to be the budget-friendly way to explore its diverse landscapes. But lately, domestic flight fares have reached sky-high levels - sometimes even surpassing international ticket prices. What was once a quick weekend getaway now feels like a luxury splurge. Digital creator Aditya Vashisht recently highlighted this growing concern by sharing real-time fare comparisons on Instagram, sparking a wave of reactions online. His screenshots revealed shocking price gaps between domestic and international routes, raising questions about affordability, inflation and the future of travel within India.
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Delhi To Trivandrum: Rs 50,000 For A Round Trip
Aditya's first screenshot showed a round-trip fare from New Delhi to Trivandrum priced at Rs 50,000. For the same dates, a flight to Bangkok cost Rs 65,000. He added a caption that struck a chord with many:
"Same dates for three people. Hotel, transportation and food cost in Bangalore is similar or maybe less. Then people ask-India mei kuyn nahi ghumte ho? Aapka kya kehna hai? (Why do you not travel in India? What do you have to say?)"
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Delhi To Andaman: More Expensive Than London?
The next screenshot was even more shocking. A round-trip from New Delhi to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands ranged from Rs 1.37 lakh to Rs 1.42 lakh, and that too with overnight layovers. Aditya noted:
"Round trip to Andaman Islands, same dates, that too overnight. Flights to London are cheaper than this. High time domestic travel and hotel costs need to be regulated."
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Aditya is not alone. A user on X (formerly Twitter), Khushboo Verma, earlier, shared her own experience, "When I moved from Delhi to Bengaluru in 2022, my flight ticket cost around INR 3.5k. Today, the same one-way route is costing me INR 8.5K, even if I book 2 weeks in advance. What is this inflation? And why is no one doing anything about it?"
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Why Is There A Surge In Domestic Flight Fare?
Experts point to a mix of factors:
- Rising fuel prices
- Aircraft maintenance costs
- Labour and operational expenses
- Limited competition on certain routes
While international airlines often benefit from economies of scale and competitive pricing, domestic carriers are grappling with high overheads and fluctuating demand.
Have you faced similar sticker shock while booking flights within India? Share your story with us. After all, travel should be about discovery, not just deep pockets.
