Pune: Kharadi's Uma Dwivedi on Thursday checked the one-way airfare from Pune to Ranchi for January next year. Tired after work, she decided to book the ticket on Friday morning unaware of the rude shock in store."The fare increased from Rs7,400 to Rs8,600. I did not expect such a huge hike in just 6-7 hours despite knowing airfares are dynamic," the working professional told TOI.
The overnight fare hike surprise was the fallout of IndiGo's decision to levy fuel charge on domestic and international routes from October 6 in the wake of high ATF (aviation turbine fuel) price. Like Dwivedi, hundreds of Puneites planning vacations during Durga Puja, Dasara and Diwali were disappointed on Friday morning.
IndiGo rules different sectors from Pune. It operates 61 inbound and outbound flights out of the total 90 daily flight operations from the Lohegaon airport. So, Puneites will feel the maximum pocket pinch immediately.
"Pune-Kolkata fares are always on the higher side and they have increased further. IndiGo is the main carrier in the sector. I am not cancelling my plan to visit Kolkata during Durga Puja, but the return ticket will cost me around Rs11,000 instead of Rs8000-9000 now. This is a ploy of airlines to take advantage of the festive season," IT professional Samudra Ghosh from Hinjewadi said.
Ganesh Kumar wanted to travel to Patna for Chhath. He would look for other modes of transport after IndiGo's decision. "Airlines are making heavy profits. The ministry needs to intervene in this," he said.
07/10/2023 Joy Sengupta/Times of India
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