Explore the affordability of air travel in India with base airfares under Rs 1,000 on multiple routes, highlighting the accessibility and convenience for travellers.
Rethinking Affordability in Air Travel
If you think going for air travel is not an easy cup of tea for low-income groups, then rethink. Just shelling out Rs 150 as base airfare, one can take a 50-minute flight from Lilabari to Tezpur in Assam.
UDAN Scheme Fuels Growth and Accessibility
The Indian aviation sector under the current Government is seeing significant growth and competition. Air travel has become more accessible and affordable operated under the regional air connectivity scheme “Udan” that provides various incentives (like there are no landing or parking charges for these flights) for the airline operators, making flying a viable option for a wider range of travellers. Currently, the Ministry of Aviation has operationalised more than 500 routes under the Udan Scheme including 48 helicopter routes. The regional connectivity scheme is effective in 76 airports, including 2 water aerodromes and 9 Helipads in different regions of the country.
A Multitude of Routes at Budget-Friendly Prices
According to a popular travel portal not only this route but there are at least 22 routes where the base airfares are less than Rs 1,000 per person. Usually, the duration of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) flights on these routes is around 45-50 minutes. Most of the key routes with these cheapest airfares lie in the North-east part of India. This remarkable pricing opens up opportunities for travellers to explore various destinations within the country without breaking the bank. According to the analysis, a significant portion of these 22 routes have a base fare starting from Rs 150 to Rs 999.
Airlines Offering Budget Flights
The following is a list of airlines operating these cheap flights are:
- Alliance Air
- SpiceJet
- Air Deccan
- Air Odisha
- Turbo Megha Airways, Flybig, IndiaOne, Star Air, Fly91 (New Airline Startups)
Popular Routes Under Rs. 1000
Some Of the Cheapest with base airfares under Rs 1,000 include flights to and from are:
- Tezpur to Lilabari
- Guwahati to Shillong
- Imphal-Aizawl
- Dimapur-Shillong
- Shillong-Lilabari
- Lilabari-Guwahati
- Guwahati-Pasighat
- Bangalore-Salem
- Cochin-Salem
Conclusion
The accessibility and affordability of air travel in India, with base airfares under Rs 1,000 on multiple routes, are transforming the way people explore and experience the country. This transformation is fuelled by initiatives like the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN), which aims to enhance regional air connectivity and make flying more accessible to a wider population.
