DGCA Orders Airlines to Keep Diwali Fares Affordable

Responding to concerns over sharp fare escalations during festive peaks, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated regulatory measures targeting airfare stabilization ahead of Diwali. The directive requires airlines to maintain affordability while scaling up capacity to meet expected demand growth. The move underscores the regulator’s focus on balancing profitability with consumer protection during high-demand travel phases.

The regulator has conducted a thorough review of airfare trends on prominent domestic routes and engaged with airline representatives to reinforce measures that prevent overpricing and protect passenger interests. A DGCA spokesperson confirmed that the authority will “closely monitor airfare movements and flight capacities throughout the festive season” under the DGCA Airfare Regulation to protect passenger interests. 

Airlines Add Extra Flights to Meet Diwali Demand 

Complying with the regulator’s guidelines, India’s leading carriers have announced hundreds of additional flights for October and November to balance the sharp rise in travel demand.

• IndiGo, which holds 64.2 percent of India’s domestic market, will operate about 730 additional flights across 42 sectors.
• Air India and Air India Express will introduce 486 incremental flights across 20 designated routes to expand network capacity and manage seasonal traffic efficiently.
• SpiceJet will reportedly operate 546 extra services on 38 sectors. 

DGCA Keeps Eye on Diwali Travel Rush 

Diwali marks the busiest period for India’s airlines, with families and migrant professionals traveling across the country to celebrate. Historically, carriers have raised fares to capitalize on heavy bookings, leading to public frustration. This year, however, the DGCA’s intervention is expected to curb excessive pricing while maintaining network reliability through added capacity. 

India’s Air Travel Grows Nearly 5 Percent in 2025 

India’s skies have seen steady traffic this year. From bustling metros to emerging Tier-II cities, more than 1,107 lakh passengers took to the air between January and August 2025. This is nearly a 5 percent rise over last year’s numbers. However, nature reminded the aviation sector of its unpredictability. In August, a 1.4 percent dip occurred as monsoon rains grounded several flights and slowed momentum.

With Diwali around the corner, India’s aviation network appears ready to rise to the occasion. Increased flight capacity and vigilant price checks suggest a festive travel period that puts passenger comfort and fairness first. 

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