Diwali passenger traffic higher this year despite high airfares

High Diwali fares don't seem to have deterred the Indian traveller from flying out for a holiday. The passenger traffic during Diwali is likely to register a small but positive growth of about 6-8% during Diwali this year, compared to the same period last year, estimates by an online travel portal show. Promotional fares offered by airlines around July and August have helped keep passenger volumes high this season, feel experts. This may, however, not translate into profits for airlines.
Based on the current booking, passenger traffic for the Diwali festival season, from November 1-10, will grow by 6-8% compared to last year. The boost to travel also came from the fares which, after a 30% upward spiral in September, have stabilized and haven't risen dramatically. However, most significant bookings seem to have happened during August when domestic carriers offered tickets at throw-away prices for an advance booking.
Read news in full 27/10/13 Chinmayi Shalya/Times of India