Air India Crash Triggers Price Hikes: Passengers Face Soaring Fares Amid Widespread Cancellations

Following the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, air travellers are now facing an alarming rise in ticket prices, with many accusing airlines of price gouging. Reports indicate a sharp spike in cancellations and rapidly escalating fares, significantly affecting passengers and the travel industry alike.

Spike in Cancellations Fuels Soaring Ticket Prices

According to Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council, nearly 41 per cent of tickets have been cancelled in the aftermath of the accident.

A travel agent revealed that tickets which were previously priced slightly above Rs 6,000 are now being sold for approximately Rs 34,000. The sudden surge in cancellations, coupled with limited available seats, has led to a substantial hike in fares.

Speaking to ANI, Mayal said, "I don't want to take names, but some airlines have increased their ticket prices. This is reportedly because flights that are running full due to cancellations have seen a spike in ticket fares." She further explained that similar patterns of fare increases had also been noticed recently in Jammu and Kashmir.

Mayal also shared that there has been a noticeable rise in passenger interest in exit row seats, although there is no confirmed increase in their pricing at this time. "I would like to clarify that there is no such information yet suggesting that the fares for exit row seats have increased," she stated. However, she acknowledged the growing demand for these seats as passengers feel they may offer an added sense of security. She emphasised that travel agents have been bearing significant losses in recent days, noting, "Whenever any adverse situation arises, the travel trade is the first to be affected."

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Travel Industry Struggles With Mounting Uncertainty

The impact of the crash has been felt across the industry. Roopak Punyani, owner of Delhi-based travel company Travel Canvas India Private Limited, pointed to the combined effects of global uncertainties, recent tensions between India and Pakistan, and the Ahmedabad crash as major contributing factors. He noted that corporate travellers, in particular, are cancelling flights.

Punyani added that many travellers are now deliberately avoiding flights operated by Boeing aircraft. While he stopped short of directly linking these concerns to the fare hikes, he highlighted that the cancellation of certain direct flights has forced passengers to rely on connecting routes, which in turn are more expensive.

Saurabh Tiwari of Sushant Travels in Delhi echoed similar sentiments, reporting a significant volume of cancellation requests as fear grips many passengers. "Passengers are quite scared. Some travellers are even converting their air travel plans into train journeys, causing them significant inconvenience and loss," he said.

Tiwari also cited an example illustrating the steep rise in fares: flights from Delhi to Dhaka, which previously cost between Rs 7,000 to Rs 9,000, are now priced at Rs 30,000 to Rs 34,000. He attributed these inflated rates to the cancellations of Air India flights in the wake of the Ahmedabad accident, adding that airlines have substantially raised fares to adjust for reduced availability.

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