With three months to go before the October 15 India-Pakistan match in Ahmedabad as part of the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, air fares to the host city are soaring. A day before the match, flight tickets on October 14, especially between the Delhi-Ahmedabad and Mumbai-Ahmedabad sectors, have seen a significant price hike. Currently, the fare is one-way direct flight from Delhi to Ahmedabad and from Mumbai to Ahmedabad. ₹15,000 onwards ₹22,000.
Nishant Pitti, CEO & Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip highlighted the immense popularity of the India vs Pakistan match, “Since its official announcement, there has been a 5-fold increase in hotel tariffs per night. Luxury hotels charge higher rates ₹50,000 per night. Not just hotels, even flight tickets are on the rise. Even if people book three months in advance, airfares are six times higher than normal. Delhi-Ahmedabad economy class tickets are available in August and September ₹3000. But the ticket costs the same as a day before the match ₹20,000,” said Nishant Pitti, CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip. “Demand for flight tickets and searches on our website has reached an all-time high. Most of the people who are interested in attending the match have already started booking tickets,” he added.
Alok Bajpai, Group CEO and Co-Founder, Ixigo, highlighted the surge in travel inquiries to all host cities, including Ahmedabad. “We have seen a significant increase in search queries for travel to all host cities. Last year Delhi-Ahmedabad travel fare was average ₹4973. It is higher this year ₹12,000 for Indigo flights and Rs ₹22,000 for Vistara flights. That is an increase of more than 100 percent. Fares may increase closer to match dates depending on demand and availability.
A further hike in airfare is expected in the coming months. Southern Travels MD A Krishna Mohan said, “By the end of September, prices may go up, perhaps even ten times the normal fare for flights from Delhi to Ahmedabad. The much awaited cricket match between India and Pakistan is a huge contribution. Also, the upcoming Navratri holiday in Gujarat, which begins on the same day, increases demand for travel to Ahmedabad, leading to a price hike.