Navigate

Ahead Of Diwali, Airlines Add 1,700 Extra Flights As DGCA Monitors Airfares To Keep Ticket Prices Affordable

Extra Flights Diwali

Image Courtesy: Canva/Maria Kraynova

For many Indians, Diwali is the time of year to visit family and friends or take that long-awaited vacation. As demand for travel is predicted to increase, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken action to ensure that your flights don’t break the bank. Airlines have been asked to expand capacity with extra flights in order to accommodate the Diwali rush. The aviation regulator is also keeping a careful eye on airfares.

Airlines Add 1,700 Extra Flights Across Key Routes Before Diwali

The Ministry of Civil Aviation shared that the DGCA is keeping a careful eye on ticket costs, especially during the busiest travel days, according to reports from India Today. Sudden spikes in fares, especially during festivals like Diwali, can be stressful for passengers, and the regulatory body wants to avoid that. To manage the increased number of travellers, airlines have been instructed to add extra flights on busy routes.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed DGCA to monitor airfares during the holiday season and take appropriate action if prices increase significantly. Accordingly, the DGCA has requested that airlines increase flight capacity in order to provide passengers with affordable and comfortable travel.

According to India Today, India’s major airlines are rolling out additional flights:

  • IndiGo will operate around 730 extra flights across 42 routes.
  • Air India and Air India Express are adding 486 flights on 20 routes.
  • SpiceJet will increase its schedule with nearly 546 extra flights across 38 sectors.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh Now Has Its 1st National Highway Tunnel Connecting Raipur To Visakhapatnam; Set To Open By 2026

DGCA Keeps Watch On Airfares And Safety Standards

Image Courtesy: Canva/Sourav Mishra

This festive season preparation is also about safety. The DGCA has been strengthening airline safety and transparency in recent years. Between 2020 and June 2025, the regulator carried out 171 audits to improve air safety standards, India Today reported.

For travellers, this means more flight options, better availability, and the reassurance that regulators are keeping fares in check while prioritising safety. Booking early is still recommended, as Diwali remains one of the busiest travel periods in the country.

With airlines adding more than 1,700 extra flights and regulators monitoring every move, passengers can look forward to smoother, safer, and more affordable journeys this Diwali season.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/Maria Kraynova

For more such snackable content, interesting discoveries and the latest updates on food, travel and experiences in your city, download the Curly Tales App. Download HERE.
Mallika Khurana: Fuelled by chai and curiosity, I live for slow mornings, endless binge-watching sprees, and the joy of doing absolutely nothing. But hand me a plate of something delicious, and I’ll write you a whole love letter about it.