Flight bookings surge by 85%, redefining festive travel in India, ET TravelWorld

With Diwali around the corner, India’s domestic travel industry is witnessing an unprecedented surge, as flight bookings skyrocket by 85 per cent compared to last year. According to data from World on Holiday by RateGain, this year’s festive season is shaping up to be a record-breaker, with travel demand even surpassing pre-Covid levels.

This surge is not just reflective of increased travel numbers, but a broader recovery of India’s domestic aviation sector. The number of travellers has more than doubled, as people across the country are preparing to visit family and celebrate the festival of lights. On average, passengers are booking their trips 27 days in advance, securing flights to some of India’s most popular destinations during Diwali.

The top travel destinations include the major metros and cities like New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Port Blair, Kochi, and Patna.

A key factor driving this travel boom is the desire to reunite with loved ones, particularly as more people choose to travel back to their hometowns for the holiday. Reverse travel—where people from Tier 1 cities head back to Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns—has become more prominent this year.

Cities like Guwahati, which saw a staggering 386 per cent rise in bookings, Jaipur (306 per cent), and Patna (271 per cent) have emerged as major beneficiaries of this trend. Other cities like Chennai, Amritsar, and Lucknow also reported significant spikes in travel demand.For airlines, travel companies, and passengers alike, Diwali has become not just a festival of lights, but a festival of flights, with runways across the country busier than ever.

This festive season, India is not just lighting up homes—it’s lighting up the skies. Diwali 2024 is set to redefine how the nation celebrates, as the spirit of connection, homecoming, and togetherness drives the country’s domestic travel industry to new heights.