In a significant move to facilitate travel for devotees attending the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, major airlines have announced fare reductions of up to 50%. This decision comes in response to directives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to make air travel more affordable during the religious event.
Government Intervention to Regulate Airfares
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which commenced on January 13 and will conclude on February 26, 2025, has attracted millions of pilgrims, leading to a surge in demand for flights to Prayagraj. Consequently, airfares had escalated dramatically, with reports indicating that return tickets from major cities were priced as high as Rs.50,000. In response, the DGCA held meetings with airline representatives, urging them to rationalize fares and increase flight capacities to accommodate the influx of passengers.
Airlines Respond with Fare Reductions and Additional Flights
Following the government’s directives, several airlines have taken steps to make air travel to Prayagraj more accessible:
- IndiGo: The airline announced fare reductions ranging from 30% to 50% on flights to Prayagraj.
- SpiceJet: To meet the increased demand, SpiceJet introduced special direct flights to Prayagraj from cities including Guwahati, Chennai, and Hyderabad.
- Akasa Air: Enhancing its connectivity to Prayagraj, Akasa Air launched special flights from Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru via Delhi, in addition to its daily direct services from Mumbai.
These initiatives aim to provide pilgrims with more travel options and alleviate the financial burden associated with attending the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Government’s Commitment to Affordable Air Travel
Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized the government’s dedication to ensuring reasonable airfares for pilgrims. He met with airline representatives to review air connectivity to Prayagraj and directed them to keep fares in check during the Maha Kumbh Mahotsav.
The DGCA has also approved 81 additional flights in January, increasing the total number of flights to and from Prayagraj to 132. This move is expected to enhance accessibility and manage the high passenger volume during the festival.
Addressing Concerns Over Unethical Pricing
Despite these measures, concerns about unethical pricing practices persist. Vishwa Hindu Parishad national spokesperson Vinod Bansal criticized airlines for taking advantage of the high demand by increasing airfares excessively, labeling the practice as “unfair and unethical.”
Conclusion
The collaborative efforts between the government and airlines to reduce airfares and increase flight availability demonstrate a commitment to facilitating the pilgrimage for millions attending the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Pilgrims planning to travel to Prayagraj are encouraged to book flights promptly, as the reduced fares and additional flights are subject to availability.
