Increased Flight Operations Meet Soaring Demand

In response to the overwhelming demand for travel to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, airlines have significantly increased their flight operations. IndiGo, for instance, has more than doubled its seat capacity to over 165,000 on flights to and from Prayagraj Airport, with services running until February 26. The airline has expanded its network to include 10 destinations, introducing new routes from Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Jaipur, while maintaining existing services from major cities.

Public Dissatisfaction Over High Airfares

Despite the increase in flight operations, the surge in airfare has led to public dissatisfaction. A survey by Local Circles revealed that 86% of respondents encountered fares three to ten times higher than usual when booking travel to Mahakumbh. This has prompted many to opt for road and rail transport, despite the convenience of air travel.

Survey Highlights Consumer Sentiment

The survey, which gathered over 15,000 responses nationwide, highlighted the extent of the fare increases. A significant portion of respondents reported airfares to Prayagraj were '6-8 times regular fares', with many expressing their grievances on social media platforms. The survey also noted the demographic breakdown of respondents, with a majority being men from tier 1 cities.