Ahmedabad: Expensive flight tickets appear to have changed the way Amdavadis travelled during the Diwali holidays. Passenger footfall at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport fell by nearly 12% year-on-year between Nov 7 and 12. But the holiday mood remained intact, with travel operators reporting brisk demand for cabs, buses and private cars. The road rush was reflected in heavy traffic and crowds at popular destinations in Gujarat and Rajasthan.The six-day passenger count at SVPI stood at 2.03 lakh, compared with 2.3 lakh during the Diwali holidays between Oct 20 and 25 last year. Travel industry players attributed the decline to higher air fares and reduced flight frequencies, particularly during the festive peak.However, the fall in airport footfall did not necessarily indicate a decline in holiday travel. Several travellers opted for road journeys instead, with private cars, cabs and buses catering to demand for both advance and last-minute bookings.“Ample last-minute bookings were made for road travel. Several travellers chose alternative modes of transport instead of cancelling their holiday plans,” said travel expert Ankit Bajaj from Ahmedabad.Demand for larger vehicles remained strong during the holiday period, said Paresh Thakkar, general secretary of Gujarat Luxury Cab Owners Association.
Udaipur City Palace
“Overall demand for nine-plus-seater vehicles was very good for destinations such as Udaipur, Nathdwara, Mount Abu, Ambaji, Gir, Somnath and Dwarka. We also received several last-minute bookings for bigger and smaller cars,” he said.Demand for seven-seater vehicles, however, was comparatively lower. Thakkar attributed this to the growing popularity of SUVs, which have emerged as a preferred option for many travellers.Manish Sharma, owner of a travel company based in Ahmedabad, said rising air fares had affected holiday bookings. Reduced flight frequencies had pushed up fares, he said.“There is currently no cap on air fares. Even a return ticket to Delhi for Dec, booked today, would cost around Rs 18,000 per person. Fares were even higher during the festive peak because of strong demand,” Sharma said.He added that expensive tickets had prompted some travellers to consider road trips instead of flying. The shift, however, came with its own challenges, as popular routes and tourist destinations reported heavy traffic and crowds during the holiday period.
