Salman Shahid, who runs a coaching center in Srinagar, struggles to afford the rising airfare between Srinagar and New Delhi, which has surged by over 50% since the pandemic. ACI reports a 43% increase in domestic airfares in India, attributed to high demand, limited competition, and increased fuel costs. Despite a government initiative to make air travel more accessible, fares continue to escalate, limiting access for lower-income citizens. The rapid growth in airport connections does not reflect a corresponding affordability in air travel, raising concerns about its accessibility.
