Patna: In anticipation of the festive rush during Diwali and Chhath, airlines have announced seven new flight pairs connecting Patna to major cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Guwahati. The move is expected to bring relief to thousands of travellers heading home to Bihar for the celebrations.
According to officials, both SpiceJet and Air India Express will operate these new routes. SpiceJet has scheduled two pairs of flights between Patna and Mumbai, along with one pair each for Delhi, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. The Delhi–Patna service begins on 10 October, while flights between Patna, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad will commence from October 11.
Air India Express will also operate additional flights between Patna and key metro cities — Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai — in response to increased demand. With train seats already sold out, air travel remains the only option for many heading to their hometowns.
However, airfares have surged sharply in the wake of the demand. On October 18, Patna–Delhi flight fares range between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 19,000, while tickets for Patna–Mumbai flights are priced from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 21,000. Routes to Bengaluru and Kolkata have als o seen a two to threefold rise in fares compared to earlier weeks.
