THE domestic airline fares from Nagpur to major cities in the country are witnessing a gradual rise due to higher demand on account of August 15 holiday and festive season. The airfares have increased by Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 per ticket as compared to July-end prices. This was revealed by Jatindra Nakade, former Chairman of Travel Agents Association (TAAI) Nagpur Chapter while talking to The Hitavada.

The forthcoming holiday of August 15 seems to be creating good demand in the aviation sector. Air travellers may see tickets flying high as demand picks up on several dates near the August 15 holiday. Also, people are booking in advance for the Diwali festive season. As a result it is expected that air ticket prices will start to inflate after August when more people start to book air tickets.

He said that there are large number of people from Nagpur residing in cities like Mumbai, Pune and New Delhi. Every year during the holidays they tend to return to Nagpur and enjoy the holidays with relatives and friends thereby increasing demand for air tickets. People are extending the weekend holiday of Saturday and Sunday (August 13 and 14) just before August 15 which falls on Monday, Nakade pointed out.

On the Nagpur to Mumbai route air fares are being quoted at Rs 6,000 per ticket for August 15, as compared to Rs 5,000 per ticket in last week of July. On the Nagpur to New Delhi route, air fares have moved up to Rs 8,000 per ticket, as compared to Rs 7,000 per ticket in July end. Similarly, on the Nagpur to Pune route, air fares have risen to Rs 7,000 per ticket as compared to July-end prices of Rs 6,000 to Rs 6,500 per ticket. The average ticket price is about Rs 5,500 per ticket on this route.

On Nagpur to Bangaluru route, air fares have firmed up to Rs 8,500 per ticket, as compared to Rs 6,500 per ticket during July end. Also, on the Nagpur to Indore route the airfares have swelled to Rs 6,500 per ticket, as compared to Rs 4,500 per ticket during July end. The Nagpur to Kolkata route ticket prices remain unchanged at Rs 6,500 per ticket. But on this route the number of travellers are less therefore the airlines have kept the prices unchanged, he said. The major airlines with operations from Nagpur airport are Air India, Indigo and Go First.

The ticket prices tend to change as per the demand and supply, timings and the airline people choose. Further, it is generally seen that during the weekends the airfare prices rise, Nakade added.