Ranchi airport is set to add three new flights on the Delhi and Bengaluru routes from October ahead of the Durga Puja season. Air India and IndiGo will operate additional services as passenger demand rises and airfares increase on key routes.Ranchi to Get Three Additional Delhi and Bengaluru Flights From October for Durga Puja
Passenger numbers at Ranchi airport have started rising rapidly ahead of Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath. The highest pressure is being seen on the Delhi and Bengaluru routes, where a large number of working professionals, IT professionals, students and businesspeople are preparing to return home.
Rising demand has led to rapid ticket bookings, with seats on several flights already beginning to fill. In response to the increase in passengers, airlines have announced additional services. Three new flights for Ranchi will begin from October to help handle the festive-season rush.
Air India will operate an additional night flight between Ranchi and Delhi. IndiGo will start a new service on the Ranchi-Bengaluru sector. The additional flights will give passengers more options and increase the possibility of getting tickets even at the last minute.
Ranchi airport management expects the new flights to reduce passenger pressure and improve connectivity on key routes. Preparations for security, check-in and ground handling have also been accelerated in view of the possibility of increased airport traffic as aircraft operations rise during morning and late-night slots.
The impact of the festive season is also visible in airfares. The fare from Ranchi to Bengaluru has risen from around Rs 11,975 on normal days to Rs 16,724. Fares on Delhi and other major routes are also continuing to rise.
Aviation experts said higher fares during festivals are normal because of limited seats and higher demand. However, the start of additional flights will increase seat availability and could help contain excessive fare increases to some extent.
Airport officials have advised passengers to book tickets as soon as their travel dates are finalised. Waiting until the last moment could result in higher fares and make it difficult to secure seats on preferred flights.
Passengers have also been advised to monitor the schedules of the new Air India and IndiGo flights. They have additionally been urged to reach the airport at least two hours before the scheduled departure time to complete security checks and the check-in process smoothly.
Ranchi airport currently operates regular flights to several major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Patna and Bhubaneswar. Passengers had faced difficulties after the number of flights on some routes was reduced in recent months, but the additional services scheduled to begin during the festive season are expected to improve the situation.
Experts said the new flights will primarily benefit migrant residents of Jharkhand returning home during Durga Puja and Chhath. The services will provide passengers with better connectivity, more seats and additional travel options during the festive season.
