As the festive season approaches, Air India and its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, have announced the addition of 166 flights to and from Patna to accommodate the surge in travel demand during Diwali and Chhath Puja. The move aims to provide seamless connectivity for passengers traveling to Bihar to celebrate the festivals with their families.

According to the official press release issued by Air India on Tuesday, the Tata-owned national carrier will operate 114 additional flights connecting Patna with major Indian cities. Meanwhile, Air India Express will operate 52 additional flights, primarily linking Patna to Delhi and Bengaluru. These flights are scheduled to begin operations from Wednesday, October 15, and will continue until November 2, 2025, coinciding with the peak festive travel period.

Air India’s Expanded Schedule: Route-wise Details

The additional flights by Air India are distributed across key routes to ensure enhanced connectivity:

• Delhi–Patna: 38 additional flights
• Mumbai–Patna: 38 additional flights
• Bengaluru–Patna: 38 additional flights

In addition to this, Air India Express will operate:

• Delhi–Patna: 26 additional flights
• Bengaluru–Patna: 26 additional flights

These supplemental flights are intended to complement the existing schedule of 42 weekly Air India flights between Patna and the metros of Delhi and Mumbai, and 14 weekly Air India Express flights from Delhi and Bengaluru. The enhanced schedule significantly improves travel options for passengers and eases the pressure on the regular flights during the high-demand festive season.

Air India Highlights Enhanced Connectivity

In its statement, Air India emphasized that the additional flights will significantly boost connectivity to Patna, allowing more convenient travel options for passengers returning home to celebrate Diwali and Chhath Puja. The airline noted that the expanded network would not only improve direct travel but also provide better onward connections through major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, linking passengers to other parts of the country as well as to destinations in the Middle East and Europe.

The press release further highlighted that these flights are particularly important for passengers traveling for personal and family reasons, ensuring that they can reach Patna without the challenges posed by fully booked flights during peak festive periods.

Booking Details for Passengers

Air India confirmed that bookings for the additional flights are already open and can be made via multiple channels to ensure accessibility for all travelers. The booking options include:

• Official Air India and Air India Express websites
• Mobile applications of both airlines
• 24×7 contact centres of the airlines
• City and airport ticketing offices
• Authorized travel agents worldwide

Passengers are encouraged to make early bookings to avoid last-minute availability issues, especially on high-demand routes such as Delhi–Patna, Mumbai–Patna, and Bengaluru–Patna, where travel demand typically peaks during Diwali and Chhath Puja.

Significance of Additional Flights During Festivals

The festive period sees a substantial surge in travel, particularly from metro cities to Patna, as families reunite for celebrations. Diwali and Chhath Puja are two of the most significant festivals in Bihar, drawing large numbers of travelers both domestically and internationally.

With the addition of these 166 flights, Air India and Air India Express aim to alleviate congestion at Patna airport, reduce waiting times, and provide a smoother travel experience for passengers. The move also reflects the airlines’ commitment to customer convenience and festival readiness, ensuring that passengers can reach their destinations on time and enjoy the festivities without travel-related stress.

Historical Context and Passenger Trends

Patna, the capital of Bihar, has traditionally experienced high passenger traffic during festival seasons. Airlines, including Air India, routinely plan supplementary flights to accommodate increased demand. In previous years, festive travel often results in flights being booked weeks in advance, leading to potential capacity shortages.

By announcing additional flights well in advance, Air India is taking a proactive approach to meet passenger requirements and prevent the inconvenience of last-minute travel arrangements. The airline also highlighted that these flights would provide passengers with flexible travel options, allowing them to choose timings that suit their schedules.

Connectivity Beyond Patna

In addition to enhancing direct flights to Patna, the expanded schedule facilitates better connectivity to international destinations, particularly in the Middle East and Europe. Passengers flying to Patna via hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru can also access connecting flights for both domestic and international travel. This network expansion ensures that passengers visiting Patna for the festive season have multiple travel options, minimizing delays and disruptions.

Operational Preparedness

To manage the surge in passenger traffic, Air India has stated that it is coordinating operational resources, including aircraft deployment, crew scheduling, and airport services, to ensure smooth operations during the peak travel period. The airline is also enhancing passenger assistance services at airports to help with check-in, baggage handling, and boarding processes.

Additionally, the airline has emphasized safety and comfort, ensuring that flights operate efficiently while adhering to operational guidelines and regulatory requirements.

Looking Ahead

The announcement of these additional flights comes at a crucial time as the festive season witnesses one of the highest travel volumes of the year. By strategically increasing the number of flights, Air India and Air India Express are demonstrating a customer-focused approach, balancing capacity and demand while supporting seamless travel experiences.

Travelers are advised to check flight schedules, seat availability, and fares on the official Air India and Air India Express platforms to plan their journeys efficiently. With the addition of 166 flights from October 15 to November 2, passengers traveling for Diwali and Chhath Puja can expect greater convenience, improved connectivity, and enhanced travel options.

In conclusion, Air India’s move to add these flights underscores the airline’s commitment to meeting passenger demand, ensuring festive readiness, and providing reliable air travel options during one of the busiest periods of the year. With early bookings open and multiple travel channels available, passengers planning to visit Patna for Diwali and Chhath Puja can expect a smooth, well-coordinated travel experience.