M’luru-B’luru flight fares surge amid Aero India 2025, Kumbh Mela

Mangaluru: Flight fares from Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) to Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL) have spiked sharply ahead of Aero India 2025 and the ongoing Kumbh Mela. One-way ticket prices from Mangaluru to Bengaluru have soared to Rs 10,000, a steep jump from the usual Rs 3,000.
Airfares to Delhi and Mumbai have also increased, as travellers heading to the Kumbh Mela are opting for this route.A round-trip ticket from Mangaluru to Delhi now costs around Rs 20,000. Despite the steep prices, flights to Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi remain fully booked.
IndiGo, which previously operated six daily flights to Bengaluru, has cut this to half due to Aero India 2025. "The demand for the Bengaluru route is as high as Mumbai, but with fewer flights, ticket prices have soared. Seats are limited, and all flights to Bengaluru are running at full capacity," said a senior airline executive.
Apart from Bengaluru, travellers heading to the Kumbh Mela are also using the Mumbai and Delhi air routes. "With limited flights to these destinations, airfares have surged," the executive added.
The Mumbai-Mangaluru air route has also been affected, with the number of daily flights reduced from five to four. "The fifth flight will be reinstated on the Mumbai route from Feb 15," said a source.
Vathika Pai, proprietor, Vathika International Travels, said that they have stopped booking for the Kumbh Mela due to soaring airfares, with round-trip tickets now costing between Rs 40,000 and Rs 70,000 per person. "Most travelers transit through Bengaluru to Prayagraj. However, some consider nearby airports like Ayodhya, Lucknow, or Varanasi hoping to cut costs," she said.
Aviation industry stakeholders anticipate that airfare will stabilise once Aero India 2025 and the Kumbh Mela conclude. "We expect fares to drop within the next two weeks. The surge in domestic flight prices has been a major inconvenience for frequent business and work travellers," said an industry insider.