Airfares soar 350% as cricket fans eye India-Pakistan World Cup match

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

World Cup frenzy has already got India in its firm grip — and the India-Pakistan match is at the center of it all. All roads, and air-routes, lead to the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad, which is set to host the most-awaited match between India and Pakistan on October 15. And this is one time when being the early bird gets you nothing.

As cricket fans, VVIPs, teams and sponsors begin making hotel and travel reservations, airfares have already skyrocketed to as high as 350% from major cities to Ahmedabad, according to a TOI report. A non-stop round trip from Chennai to Ahmedabad will cost you well over Rs 45,000 per person, even when booked three months in advance on July 15. Under normal circumstances, this would cost Rs 10,000 for a round trip, travel industry sources told TOI.

Even cities closer to Ahmedabad like Mumbai and Delhi have clocked 339% and 203% increases in fares for these dates. Virendra Shah, chairman, Travel Agents' Association of India (TAAI), said, «Inbound airfares to Ahmedabad have skyrocketed, thanks to the high demand expected over match days. While the opening and final match days haven't seen great traction, there is a frenzy for the India-Pakistan match.

Overall, inquiries for hotel bookings and tickets to Ahmedabad are high for the match days.» Peak hour flights from major cities are even more expensive. Ahmedabad hotels are already running at high occupancy levels for the match days. «Across the city, major five-star hotels have already witnessed over 60% of their inventories being sold out for match days.