Shocking: Flight Fares Doubled Ahead of India-Pak Match?

Flight charges to Colombo from New Delhi and Mumbai, major cities in India, saw a sudden spike. Following confirmation of the high-voltage cricket match between India and Pakistan in Colombo on Feb 15, the flight charges between the cities were nearly doubled.

The hike in fare for a cricket match is an unusual feature because flight charges are usually increased during high-demand periods like weekends or holiday season, local events, festive season, as departure date approaches and when booking in the last minute.

The Pakistan Cricket Board took a U-turn on Monday and gave permission to the senior men’s cricket team to play against India in the T20 World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board reversed its boycott of match with India following financial pressure from the ICC and other stakeholders.

Just as movie ticket fares are hiked when a multi-starrer or a big-ticket film is released, flight charges also were hiked within a few hours of confirmation of the high-voltage India-Pakistan cricket match.

Flights from major cities like Mumbai and Delhi to Colombo witnessed a hike, nearly double the usual price, ahead of the cricket match. A Mumbai-Colombo-Mumbai round trip which usually costs Rs 30,000 shot up to Rs 60,000 after the confirmation of the cricket match.

The sudden surge in the price indicates the intense attention and fanfare the India Vs Pakistan match holds in the cricket world.