Air travelers in India can expect higher flight fares this summer as airlines grapple with capacity cuts and operational challenges. Vistara, one of the prominent carriers, has announced a reduction in its operations by cutting 25-30 flights per day, amounting to about 10% of its total capacity. The decision was driven by mounting pressure on pilots and concerns regarding overall performance.IndiGo, another major airline, has also faced setbacks, grounding 75 aircraft due to engine issues.
The timing of these capacity cuts is unfortunate as travel demand surges during the upcoming summer holidays from April to June. As a result, airfares on popular routes are expected to rise. Industry experts forecast a potential increase of 5-8% in airfare due to the operational headwinds faced by airlines.
Leading travel portals have already observed a considerable spike in airfare prices. Spot fares for well-traveled routes have shot up by 20-25% due to heightened demand and temporary disruptions caused by flight cancellations. However, these portals anticipate fares to stabilize as flight schedules return to normal in the coming weeks.
It’s important to note that these airfare fluctuations are temporary and are likely to level out as airlines address their operational issues and strive to meet the growing travel demand.
