Diwali Nears: Airfares Soar on Delhi-Dharamshala and Other Routes

Airfares on the Delhi–Dharamshala route have surged to between ₹12,000 and ₹18,000.

With Diwali approaching and the winter tourist season just around the corner, airlines have once again hiked fares on the Delhi–Dharamshala and Chandigarh–Dharamshala sectors, pushing ticket prices out of reach for most locals and tourists.

Travelers have been left shocked by the sudden escalation. One-stop connecting flights from Mumbai to Dharamshala via Delhi are now priced between ₹25,000 and ₹30,000 per person. Fares from Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur on connecting flights are in the same range. Even on the direct Delhi–Dharamshala route, prices have jumped to ₹12,000–18,000, while Chandigarh–Dharamshala tickets too are being sold at far higher-than-usual rates.

The Travel Agents’ Association, speaking to The Tribune, slammed airlines for what it described as the “open exploitation” of passengers and accused the central government of turning a blind eye to the issue. Currently, Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet operate around half a dozen flights on the Delhi–Dharamshala and Chandigarh–Dharamshala routes.

Industry stakeholders have warned that unchecked fare hikes could seriously impact Himachal Pradesh’s tourism economy in the coming weeks. They urged state MPs to press the Centre for airfare subsidies on the Delhi–Dharamshala circuit, similar to those available for Kashmir and the Northeast. They also called for all Himachal Pradesh airports to be brought under the government’s UDAN scheme to ensure affordable connectivity.

The sharp increase in fares is already shifting tourist preferences. Travel agencies in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Lucknow are recommending Kashmir and the Northeast instead, where tickets remain more affordable. Just two weeks ago, Delhi–Dharamshala tickets were selling for ₹4,500–7,000, while Chandigarh–Dharamshala flights were available for ₹3,000–5,000 — well within reach of most travelers.

At present, Dharamshala’s Gaggal airport is served only by ATR-72 aircraft due to its short 1,372-meter runway, which cannot handle larger planes. With demand peaking during festival and tourist seasons, this operational limitation is seen as a key factor driving the steep rise in ticket prices.