The Hindu festival of Diwali may have encouraged travellers to look at alternative destinations such as Dubai.
“Thanks to the festive season, ticket prices in the winter schedule, which marks the beginning of the tourist season, have shot up,” explained Rajesh Rateria, chairman of theTravel Agents Association of India (TAAI).
He added: “Due to Diwali and also the fact that it falls on a weekend, when passenger traffic is really high, air fares on domestic routes have trebled.”
The cost of a Mumbai to Delhi route for a one-way ticket has increased to around to Rs 16,132 (£227), compared to the cost of a flight to Dubai from Mumbai at Rs 8,932 (£126).
The TAAI was created in 1951 by a number of the country’s largest travel agents in order to help promote and regulate the industry.
Written by Ruth Norris.
