Govts ease travel restrictions & demand spikes, but flights are still a costly affair

Govts ease travel restrictions & demand spikes, but flights are still a costly affair

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:09.08.2021

While the Union and state governments have relaxed restrictions on air travel, airlines are yet to reduce ticket prices.

The aviation ministry, in a recent order said domestic flights can operate with 65% passenger capacity. Earlier, passenger capacity was capped at 50%. The increase in capacity is likely to help airlines to sell more seats.

However, starting fare for tickets is still at a higher slab and remains stable for one week’s advance booking and for two week’s advance booking. The one-way fare from Chennai to Mumbai is more than ₹5,000. Tickets from the city to Delhi cost ₹6,700 and ₹4,500 to Kolkata. Fares are higher to small towns from Chennai.

“Air fares may remain high as the airlines would want to make the most of people who will be flying after being stuck for a long time,” M K Ajit Kumar of Asia Pacific Tours said.

The fare is fixed based on the market trend, he said, adding that demand for tickets will be high in the coming months as travel has resumed and more relaxations are expected from state governments.

“People will travel if they have to irrespective of the fare,” Kumar said.

“The increase in capacity will be beneficial because demand is rising. There will be more seats available. Travel has resumed, particular as people have started to fly for business on metro routes,” Basheer Ahmed of Chennai Metro Travels said.

People will be able to fly for domestic holidays in the coming days as many state governments have relaxed entry and quarantine rules. The crowds at holiday destinations in Goa and Himachal Pradesh show that leisure travel will increase in the coming days.

“The resumption of travel in connection with trade and business and more flight services will encourage people to travel for leisure. Once domestic travel becomes normal it will help in the resumption of international travel,” said Ahmed.

Most state governments relaxed test and quarantine rules have been relaxed for passengers who have received both doses of vaccines. Chennai airport is also handling close to 60 departures and 60 arrivals a day as demand has gone up

.