The soaring cost of domestic air travel within India has sparked outrage and debate online. A recent anecdote shared by London-based stand-up comedian Ankit Grover highlights the absurdity of the situation. Grover attempted to book flights from Delhi to Jaisalmer for his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, only to discover that the price had inexplicably jumped from ₹15,000 per person to a staggering ₹31,000 within a few days. Ironically, he found a flight from Delhi to Dubai for ₹30,000 – cheaper than the domestic option.
Grover’s experience, initially shared as an Instagram comment and subsequently going viral on X (formerly Twitter), has resonated with many Indians. A screenshot of his comment, which included the sarcastic remark, “Who is at loss? Mera Bharat Mahan” (My Great India), fueled widespread discussion about the unchecked rise in domestic airfares. The lack of specific dates and times in Grover’s post, however, leaves room for some uncertainty regarding the exact circumstances.
The incident has triggered a wave of criticism on social media, with users expressing concern over the lack of regulation and the potential negative impact on domestic tourism. Commenters highlighted that the affordability of international travel compared to travel within India is forcing many to choose foreign destinations. One user pointed to the preference for destinations like Vietnam and Thailand over Goa during the New Year period, citing comparable costs as the reason. The situation underscores the urgent need for government intervention to address this issue and prevent the further erosion of accessible domestic travel within India.