Chennai: A sharp rise and continued volatility in airfares across both domestic and international routes have forced travellers to rethink summer vacation plans. Many are altering destinations, trimming itineraries, or switching to budget carriers to keep their expenses in check while still making the most of the holidays.With the election having come to an end, travel demand has picked up. But, flyers now find that air tickets consume a disproportionate share of their expenses. While domestic fares have risen by 15% to 40%, particularly on high-demand metro routes, international fares have shot up 15%.The spike follows a steep increase in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, which have more than doubled in recent months, that has prompted airlines to impose fuel surcharges across routes. At the same time, the Union govt’s decision to remove fare caps on domestic flights in March has added to the volatility, which has made inter-state travel significantly more expensive than in previous summers. Sudarshan N, a holidayer said he was forced to cut corners in his vacation. “I had planned a budget-friendly trip to Vietnam, but with flight charges almost doubling, I limited myself to Kuala Lumpur,” he said.Sriharan Balan, MD of Mathura Travels, observed that travellers who once preferred full-service airlines are now gravitating towards budget carriers to contain costs. Destinations such as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, which earlier saw strong demand for premium airlines, are now witnessing increased bookings on low-cost options such as AirAsia and IndiGo. He added that long-haul destinations like those in Europe have seen a dip in demand, while even emerging favourites such as Azerbaijan and Armenia have experienced a decline in enquiries amid continued instability in West Asia. Tour operators are increasingly recommending alternatives within India, pitching Andaman Islands as a substitute for Maldives and destinations such as Tawang and Sikkim as alternatives to southeast Asian getaways. S Vetriselvan, of Vetri Tours, noted that travellers are showing a growing preference for quieter, nature-oriented destinations. While places like Langkawi, Penang and Hanoi remain attractive for landscapes, the rising cost of connecting flights has made domestic options more appealing and practical.
