Acting proactively, the DGCA engaged with domestic airlines and directed them to ramp up flight operations to meet the expected surge in demand.
File Photo: IANS
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the mandate of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), has intensified its monitoring of airfares ahead of the festive season to prevent sharp price hikes and ensure adequate capacity for passengers.
Acting proactively, the DGCA engaged with domestic airlines and directed them to ramp up flight operations to meet the expected surge in demand. In response, major carriers have announced significant capacity additions.
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Following the regulator’s intervention, airlines have announced significant capacity expansions for the festive season. IndiGo will deploy approximately 730 additional flights across 42 sectors. Air India and Air India Express together will add about 486 additional flights across 20 sectors, while SpiceJet plans to operate around 546 additional flights across 38 sectors.
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In total, Indian carriers are set to operate more than 1,700 extra flights during the festive period to accommodate the surge in travellers.
The aviation regulator said it will continue to maintain “rigorous oversight” on both airfares and flight capacities to safeguard passengers’ interests and ensure affordable travel during the high-demand festive season.
Notably, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has said the recent cuts in goods and services tax (GST) slabs have spurred demand momentum in the country, with Diwali 2025 sales expected to surpass Rs 4.75 trillion.
Both direct and indirect taxes have gone down after the income tax rebates announced in the Budget this year and the GST rate cuts. All this has come as a big relief to both consumers and retailers. It has, in turn, boosted consumption during the crucial festival season.
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