Picture credits: Ministry of Civil Aviation
Prayagraj: Civil Aviation Minister Sh. Ram Mohan Naidu, along with Secretary Sh. V. Vualnam, DGCA DG Sh. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, and senior officials, met with airline representatives today to review air connectivity to Prayagraj for the once-in-144-years Maha Kumbh Mahotsav. The meeting emphasized ensuring sufficient flights while maintaining reasonable fares for millions of devotees traveling to the world’s largest religious gathering from January 13 to February 26, 2025. Under the Minister’s guidance, regular coordination meetings have been held to facilitate seamless travel.
The ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela has significantly increased air travel demand, leading to an unprecedented surge in airfare prices. Recent reports indicate that one-way fares from Chennai to Prayagraj have reached ₹70,996, exceeding the ₹31,342 fare for flights to London. Fares from Mumbai range between ₹22,000 and ₹60,000, while travelers from Bengaluru face ticket prices between ₹26,000 and ₹48,000, a stark contrast to the typical ₹5,000 fare under normal conditions.
In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has urged airlines to expand operations. SpiceJet has announced additional flights from Delhi, Chennai, Guwahati, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Jaipur, and Hyderabad, adding approximately 43,000 seats in February. Akasa Air is introducing flights from Ahmedabad and Bengaluru, contributing 4,000 additional seats.
Earlier this month, the DGCA held another meeting with airline representatives, directing them to adjust pricing structures and increase capacity. As a result, 81 additional flights were introduced in January 2025, bringing the total to 132 flights with an overall monthly capacity of 80,000 seats.
To further support the influx of pilgrims, Prayagraj’s airport infrastructure has been upgraded. Seventeen new flights have expanded the number of destinations served from eight to fifteen. Additionally, the airport has introduced night services after 106 years and, in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government, launched city bus services to improve last-mile connectivity.
As the festival continues, authorities and airlines remain focused on managing demand and regulating airfares. The DGCA’s Tariff Monitoring Unit is actively tracking ticket prices to ensure fair pricing policies. The Civil Aviation Minister has reiterated that airlines must balance commercial interests with consumer affordability.
The Kumbh Mela, held once every 12 years, is drawing a massive influx of devotees. Some claim that the celestial alignments for this year’s event are occurring once in 144 years, adding a layer of spiritual significance and making this year’s gathering even more crowded.
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