Domestic airfares have surged sharply despite a series of government relief measures, with average domestic ticket prices up about 44 per cent year-on-year in April.
Cleartrip data showed the average domestic ticket price rose from ₹5,850 in April 2025 to ₹8,450 in April 2026.
Besides, international airfares have risen by about 43 per cent over the same period, with average ticket prices increasing from ₹52,000 to ₹74,500. over the same period.
Another dataset from Wego India also indicated a rising trend in domestic fares.
In April 2026, average domestic booking values are in the range of ₹9,000–10,000, compared to ₹8,500–9,500 in 2025, reflecting a 12 per cent year-on-year increase.
Relief measures
The increase comes even as the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has implemented multiple measures to ease cost pressures on airlines, including removing fare caps and keeping the 60 per cent free seat allocation rule in abeyance.
Additionally, a rebate on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has also been provided.
According to sources, these relief measures were aimed at cushioning airlines against a sharp rise in operating costs, driven by higher ATF prices, airspace restrictions, and currency pressures.
In the absence of such interventions, airlines may have been forced to undertake steeper fare increases, reduce capacity, and rationalise routes to maintain financial viability.
However, a fuel surcharge and fewer flights in the summer schedule continue to push domestic airfares higher.
Fare gap
Notably, spot fares across key metro routes are significantly higher than advance purchase levels.
On the Delhi–Bengaluru route, fares range between ₹10,500 and ₹14,000, as against ₹7,200–₹8,500 for bookings made 15 days in advance. Similarly, Mumbai–Chennai fares stand at ₹8,200–₹10,500 for immediate travel, compared to ₹4,400–₹5,200 for advance bookings.
On the Mumbai–Delhi sector, spot fares range between ₹9,500 and ₹12,800, while advance fares are ₹5,800 and ₹7,100. Additionally, Bengaluru–Mumbai fares are currently between ₹8,400 and ₹11,200, compared to ₹4,900–₹6,300 for 15-day advance bookings.
A similar trend is seen on metro to non-metro routes as well. Delhi–Varanasi fares range between ₹10,500 and ₹14,500 for near-term travel, compared to ₹4,600–₹5,500 for advance bookings.
Published on April 3, 2026