World on Holiday releases Diwali flight bookings data for India

According to World on Holiday by RateGain, flight bookings this Diwali season have surged by an impressive 85 per cent compared to last year, doubling the number of travellers and even surpassing pre-COVID levels. This significant uptick has not only doubled the number of travellers but has also surpassed pre-COVID levels, signalling a robust recovery in the domestic aviation sector.

With an advance booking window averaging 27 days, travellers are planning their trips well in advance, ensuring they secure seats at some of the most sought-after destinations during the festive period. The top cities that have emerged as favourites among Diwali travellers include the metros and major cities New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Port Blair, Kochi, and Patna.  

A key driver of this travel boom is the desire to reconnect with family during Diwali, particularly people visiting their hometowns. This trend highlights a shift in travel behaviour, where reverse travel, where city dwellers head back to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, has become more prominent. The most striking increases were seen in Guwahati, with a staggering 386 per cent rise in bookings, followed closely by Jaipur at 306 per cent, and Patna at 271 per cent. Other significant spikes in travel to cities like Chennai, Amritsar, and Lucknow further highlight this trend. 

As India’s domestic travel scene continues to soar, this Diwali isn’t just about lighting up homes, it’s about lighting up runways across the country. For airlines, travel companies, and passengers alike, it’s clear that Diwali has become a festival of flights, redefining how we celebrate, connect, and come together.