Government Issues Big Festive Season Directive to Airlines , As India lights up for Diwali, the festival of prosperity and homecoming, the Union Government has stepped in decisively to protect travelers from the perennial burden of inflated airfares. With millions of Indians preparing to fly home for the festival, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed all domestic airlines to ensure that ticket prices remain reasonable throughout the festive period. The move comes amid public outcry over steep fare spikes that have, in past years, turned domestic travel into a luxury for many. This time, the government is determined to keep air travel accessible, transparent, and fair.
According to senior officials, the Ministry convened a high-level meeting with the nation’s leading carriers including Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, Vistara, and SpiceJet to reinforce the message that profiteering during the festive rush would not be tolerated. The government reminded airline executives of their social responsibility to serve the public interest during one of India’s most significant travel seasons. The directive also emphasized the need for airlines to maintain operational discipline, expand capacity, and ensure a seamless travel experience for passengers returning home to celebrate Diwali with their families.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ⁶has intensified its oversight to prevent any manipulation of ticket prices. The aviation regulator’s Tariff Monitoring Unit has been tasked with real-time tracking of airfares across all sectors to identify unjustified price hikes. Airlines found violating fair-pricing principles could face strict scrutiny and possible sanctions. The ministry has also enhanced the AirSewa portal, enabling passengers to lodge complaints directly against instances of excessive airfare or inadequate service. This marks a crucial step in ensuring transparency and empowering consumers to report grievances quickly.
In anticipation of heightened travel demand, airlines have been instructed to expand their flight capacity significantly. Over 1,700 additional flights will be introduced across major routes during the Diwali rush. IndiGo plans to operate over 700 supplementary flights, while Air India and Air India Express are adding nearly 500 extra services. SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Vistara are also ramping up operations across tier-two and tier-three cities to prevent congestion and maintain competitive ticket pricing. The aim is to align supply with demand, preventing artificial inflation of fares while ensuring that passengers have multiple options for affordable and convenient travel.
Despite these strong government measures, concerns remain over the industry’s historical pattern of fare surges during festivals. In previous years, travelers have reported one-way ticket prices soaring by more than 100 percent on busy routes such as Delhi to Mumbai, Bengaluru to Patna, and Hyderabad to Kolkata. Industry analysts point out that while India’s aviation sector operates under a market-driven pricing framework, sharp fluctuations in ticket prices during festive peaks have often attracted criticism. The new directive seeks to create a balance by safeguarding consumer interests while allowing airlines to maintain financial sustainability.
Aviation experts note that this move reflects the government’s broader commitment to consumer protection and transparency in air travel. Effective implementation, however, will depend on how closely regulators monitor airline behavior and how quickly they intervene if irregularities arise. The DGCA has assured that monitoring systems are already in place to detect sudden fare escalations, ensuring airlines adhere to both ethical and competitive practices.
For travelers, this directive brings a wave of relief and optimism. The government’s stand promises not only affordable fares but also a smoother, more predictable travel experience during India’s busiest domestic travel season. For the aviation industry, it presents an opportunity to rebuild trust with passengers and strengthen the perception of airlines as responsible service providers.
If the initiative succeeds, it could reshape how India’s aviation sector handles peak travel periods, setting a new benchmark for fare regulation during major holidays such as Diwali, Christmas, and summer vacations. The 2025 festive season will thus serve as a critical test of coordination between the government, regulators, and airlines, a test that could define the future of affordable and inclusive air travel in India..
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