KOLKATA: Flight fares to Bagdogra from Kolkata have doubled for the subsequent week because the airport in north Bengal reopens after a two-week closure for runway upkeep on April 26. Whereas a lot of the flights are both packed to capability or filling up quick resulting in the exponential rise in fares, many vacationers who had deferred their tour to north Bengal - because of the airport closure - are resuming their rescheduled journeys to flee the gruelling warmth within the metropolis.
Often, through the peak interval, tickets to Bagdogra can be found for something between Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500 relying on the hole between the reserving and flying date. However from April 26, direct flight fares are ranging between Rs 8,500 and Rs 11,500.

"There's a enormous rush and seats in all flights are filling up quick for the whole week ranging from Tuesday. This has led to the spike in fares. However the fares are more likely to come down by the second week of Could," mentioned an airline official that operates flights alongside the sector.
"I had rescheduled my journey to Darjeeling and Kalimpong due to the airport closure. Now that the airport is reopening, I used to be making an attempt to guide tickets. However the fares are so excessive that it's overshooting my complete journey price range. I'll wait for 2 extra weeks earlier than the flight fares ease," mentioned Sougata Paul, a Behala resident.
Some others like entrepreneur Rohini Paul are able to ignore the rising fares and are nonetheless reserving their flight tickets for subsequent weekend for a visit to Sikkim to flee town warmth. "A few of my buddies from overseas are right here after a number of years and are struggling within the warmth. Therefore, now we have deliberate an all women' journey to Sikkim subsequent week," mentioned Paul.
The Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Growth Community, an apex physique of tourism stakeholders in North Bengal, mentioned the bookings had began peaking up for subsequent week after a fortnight's lull amidst the height season. "We're going to have many arrivals on April 26 itself. It is an excellent signal for tourism on this a part of Bengal," mentioned Samrat Sanyal, the overall secretary of the community.