Bihar’s Water Resources Department Minister and National General Secretary of JDU, Sanjay Kumar Jha, has raised questions about the increased airfare during festivals for Mithils. He questioned how long the airfare would remain so expensive for the people of Mithila.
On the day after Dussehra, which falls on October 25, 2023, if someone wants to travel by air from Darbhanga to Delhi, they will have to pay approximately 15,000 rupees. Meanwhile, flying from Patna to Delhi would cost around 6,000 rupees.
These exorbitant airfare rates have sparked concerns among travelers, especially those from the Mithila region, which encompasses several districts in Bihar and parts of Nepal.
With 16,94,875 passengers’ movement and 9458 flights, Darbhanga Airport remains the top RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) airport in the country. It is India’s only RCS airport to have achieved this milestone in less than three years. The first UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) flight took off from Darbhanga Airport on November 8, 2020.
The situation becomes more puzzling when we consider the fact that Bihar’s government has been offering a special tax rate of just 1% on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) for the flights operating from Darbhanga Airport as part of the Udaan scheme. However, this tax relief does not extend to Patna Airport.
As a result, the airfare for those traveling between Darbhanga and Delhi should ideally be much more affordable compared to other routes. But the current fares seem to tell a different story, leaving travelers baffled.
A disgruntled passenger reported that on October 22, 2023, a one-way ticket from Delhi to Darbhanga was priced at a staggering 29,000 rupees. Such high airfares are raising concerns about accessibility and affordability, especially for people who wish to visit their families during the festive season. This issue has sparked outrage among the Mithils, who expect more reasonable and affordable airfare options.
In response to these concerns, there is a growing demand for the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to revisit the pricing structure for flights arriving at Darbhanga Airport during festival periods.
Many believe that setting a cap on airfares during these special occasions would make air travel more accessible to the residents of Bihar and help boost connectivity with the region.
Travelers are hopeful that these concerns will be addressed, making it easier for people to visit their loved ones during festive seasons and promoting air travel within the state.
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