DGCA Directs Airlines to Increase Flights and Control Fares Ahead of Diwali Season

Major carriers have announced the deployment of hundreds of additional flights.

New Delhi:

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has intervened to prevent excessive fare increases ahead of the Diwali festival as the aviation sector prepares for one of its busiest travel periods. The regulator has instructed domestic airlines to expand flight capacity and maintain reasonable pricing amid growing passenger demand.

In a statement released Saturday, the DGCA announced it had "proactively taken up the issue with airlines" to ensure travelers aren't subjected to inflated ticket prices during the festive season. This action follows the regulator's assessment of airfare trends across major routes.

In response to the regulator's guidance, leading carriers have announced hundreds of additional flights throughout October and November.

IndiGo, which commands India's largest market share at 64.2 percent, will operate approximately 730 additional flights across 42 sectors. Air India and Air India Express will collectively add around 486 flights across 20 routes. SpiceJet plans to deploy 546 additional services covering 38 sectors.

A DGCA spokesperson stated the regulator "will maintain rigorous oversight of airline fares and flight capacities to protect passengers' interests during the festive season."

The DGCA has encountered increased criticism from passengers in recent years regarding sharp fare fluctuations during peak travel periods such as Diwali, Christmas, and summer holidays. Officials noted that while airlines have pricing freedom under India's open skies policy, the government reserves the right to intervene when fares rise disproportionately.

According to DGCA data, domestic carriers transported 1,107.26 lakh passengers between January and August 2025, showing a 4.99 percent growth compared to the same period last year. However, August traffic experienced a slight 1.4 percent decrease compared to July, primarily attributed to monsoon-related disruptions.

Market leader IndiGo continues to dominate Indian skies with over 64 percent market share, followed by the Air India Group (combining Air India, Air India Express, and Vistara) at 27.3 percent. Akasa Air, India's newest carrier, maintains steady growth with a 5.4 percent share, while SpiceJet's market presence has decreased to just 2 percent. Smaller regional airlines including Fly Big, Fly91, and Star Air collectively hold less than 1 percent of the market.