New Delhi: The government’s new initiative, called ‘Fare Se Fursat’, ensures that ticket prices on selected regional routes remain constant, whether booked months in advance or a day before departure. The pilot phase runs from October 13 to December 31, 2025, covering routes served by state-run Alliance Air. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu described the scheme as a step towards “freedom from the stress of fluctuating airfares” for middle- and lower-income travellers.

Government’s Fixed-Fare scheme to make flying affordable and predictable

Alliance Air’s new initiative to offer constant ticket prices brings much-needed relief to travellers during these festive times rising airfares

In a major move aimed at making air travel more affordable and stress-free, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has launched a new initiative under which state-run regional airline Alliance Air will introduce fixed ticket prices that remain the same regardless of when a passenger books. The pilot phase of this scheme will run from October 13 to December 31, 2025 covering select routes.

The initiative, called ‘Fare Se Fursat’, was officially launched by Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, who described it as a step towards giving passengers “freedom from the stress of fluctuating airfares.” The idea is simple, passengers will pay a single fare, whether they book months in advance or just a day before departure.

A break from rising airfares

In recent months, airfares in India have surged sharply, especially during festivals and holidays. Travellers often face high last-minute fares as airlines use dynamic pricing models that adjust ticket prices in real time based on demand and seat availability. This has made flying unpredictable and stressful for many.

Under the new fixed-fare system, passengers can plan their trips better without worrying about sudden price hikes. According to the Ministry, this model will be tested first on selected routes to evaluate its passenger response and operational feasibility.

Civil Aviation Minister Naidu said the move reflects the government’s vision of “democratising aviation”, making air travel accessible to the middle and lower-middle classes.

“The Fare Se Fursat scheme perfectly aligns with the core principles of the UDAN regional connectivity programme. Today, Alliance Air is carrying forward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of affordable flying for the middle class, lower-middle class, and neo-middle class,” the minister said.

A boost to regional connectivity

The new scheme builds on the government’s successful UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) programme, launched in 2016 to boost regional air connectivity. UDAN provides airlines with financial support and tax benefits to operate on unserved and underserved routes, making air travel viable even in smaller cities.

Alliance Air, which operates about 390 flights per week with smaller aircraft like ATR and Dornier turboprops, plays a vital role in this mission. It connects cities such as Dimapur, Aizawl, Jagdalpur, Jalgaon, Bilaspur, Bikaner, and Rupsi, routes that are often ignored by private carriers due to low traffic volumes.

By fixing fares on such regional routes, the government hopes to attract more passengers, promote tourism, and strengthen economic ties between smaller towns and major metros.

At the launch event, attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, Alliance Air Chairman Amit Kumar, and CEO Rajarshi Sen, Minister Naidu called the initiative a “bold and exemplary step” that prioritises public service over profitability.

He said his goal as Civil Aviation Minister has been to make Indian aviation “people-oriented” rather than purely profit-driven. He also pointed to other initiatives such as the Udan Yatri Cafes, where passengers can get affordable food and drinks, tea for INR 10, coffee for INR 20, and snacks for INR 20, at regional airports.

The minister emphasised that the Fare Se Fursat model will not only help passengers save money but also bring transparency to ticket pricing, ending the anxiety caused by sudden fare surges.

How Will This Move Impact Air Travel in India?

The fixed-fare model could prove to be a game-changer for India’s regional aviation landscape, especially during the festive season, when ticket prices typically shoot up.

  • For Travellers: The scheme offers predictability and peace of mind. Families travelling during Diwali, Christmas, or New Year will no longer face the shock of paying triple the normal fare for last-minute bookings. For small business owners, students, and middle-income travellers, this could mean a return to affordable flying.
  • For the Government: It helps demonstrate the government’s commitment to inclusive growth in aviation ensuring that the benefits of connectivity reach every citizen, not just those in metros.
  • For Regional Economies: Fixed, affordable fares can increase passenger volumes on smaller routes, stimulating local tourism and business activity in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

Will Airlines suffer under this?

The fixed-fare system poses a real challenge for airlines, especially those operating on thin profit margins. Most private carriers in India rely on dynamic pricing to maximize revenue selling cheaper tickets early and costlier ones closer to departure.

Alliance Air, being a government-owned carrier, is in a better position to test such a model because its primary goal is connectivity, not profit. However, for private airlines, adopting a fixed-fare model would be difficult without government incentives such as subsidies, tax reliefs, or operational support.

Industry experts note that if the pilot project succeeds and is expanded, it might encourage other airlines to introduce “fare stability zones” on select sectors, for example, capping ticket prices during festivals or emergencies. But without strong financial backing, such initiatives could pressure airline revenues and affect fleet maintenance or service quality.

That said, the volume effect could work in favour of airlines like Alliance Air. With more people choosing to fly when fares are predictable, load factors could rise significantly, offsetting the lower per-ticket revenue.

The Fare Se Fursat pilot will serve as a crucial test for India’s aviation sector, balancing affordability for passengers with financial viability for airlines. If successful, the model could expand to more routes and even influence future pricing regulations under the Ministry’s regional aviation policies.

For now, the move offers a welcome respite for travellers battling high ticket prices, especially during the festive rush. As the skies get busier, Alliance Air’s experiment could redefine the economics of affordable flying in India proving that predictability and profitability don’t always have to be at odds.