No benefit even if you book tickets months in advance? You will be shocked to see the Delhi-Mumbai fares..
Previously, airlines offered lower fares to passengers who booked tickets well in advance. As the flight date approached and demand for tickets rose, prices would typically increase. However, this trend now appears to be shifting.
Consider the Delhi-Mumbai route: an economy ticket for a flight the next day costs approximately ₹6,200 on Akasa Air, ₹6,500 on IndiGo, and ₹6,900 on Air India. Similar fare levels are observed for flights scheduled for February 2027. In the past, booking that far in advance could secure a seat for as little as ₹3,800.
**Reduced Flight Capacity: A Major Factor**
A key reason for this shift in airfares is the limited availability of flights. Aviation experts note that IndiGo has reduced its flight capacity, while Air India’s pace of capacity expansion has also been slow.
When seat supply on a route falls short of passenger demand, airlines have less incentive to lower ticket prices. Consequently, passengers do not reap the benefit of lower fares despite booking early.
Furthermore, the number of players and the level of competition in the Indian aviation market have declined over the past few years. Following the shutdown of Jet Airways and Go First, as well as airline mergers, passengers have fewer choices than before.
**Rising Fuel Costs Add Pressure**
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) plays a crucial role in flight operations; a rise in its price drives up airline operating costs.
Currently, global conditions have created uncertainty regarding fuel prices. Airlines are setting ticket prices based on projections of future fuel costs. As a result, they are refraining from offering steep discounts on bookings made months in advance. Air travel may remain expensive in 2027
If airlines do not increase the number of flights and seat availability, domestic airfares could remain high next year. For travelers, this means that booking tickets months in advance does not guarantee cheaper travel.
However, this does not mean that fares will remain constant on every route. Prices can fluctuate based on travel dates, festivals, weekends, flight frequency, and passenger demand.
What should travelers do?
Travelers should compare prices across different airlines before booking tickets. If travel dates are flexible, it is advisable to check fares for surrounding dates as well. Additionally, one should review baggage allowances, seat selection fees, and ticket cancellation policies.
Most importantly, do not rely solely on booking far in advance. It is better to make a purchasing decision after comparing fares across different dates.
Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Money Control. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.
