IPL final lap sends airfares flying high as Kolkata-Ahmedabad sector sees over 2-fold surge | Kolkata News
KOLKATA: Cricket fever has gripped Kolkata once again – even without the home team in the race – as hundreds of die-hard fans prepare to fly to Ahmedabad for the final leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. This has led to a more than two-fold surge in airfares between Kolkata and Ahmedabad.
The second qualifier on Sunday and the grand finale on Tuesday at the 1.3-lakh capacity Narendra Modi Stadium have led to a staggering 150% increase in airfares between Kolkata and Ahmedabad. Typically, a round-trip flight between the two cities costs around Rs 12,000-Rs 13,000. However, with only five daily non-stop services available, ticket prices for Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday have soared beyond Rs 30,000. Several travel portals reported that most economy seats were sold out, with only premium fares remaining.The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), led by crowd favourite Virat Kohli, secured their place in the final and a thrilling qualifier between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians was on till late on Sunday night. Despite the early exit of the Kolkata Knight Riders this season, the passion among the city’s cricket lovers remains undeterred. Hundreds are on their way to Ahmedabad for the final match, spiking the demand for flight tickets.“I have always been a crazy IPL fan. I watch every match at Eden Gardens and was absolutely sure to watch the final no matter which team was playing. But it was sad that the final was shifted out of Kolkata. Even then, with Virat Kohli and RCB in the final, I am planning to head to Ahmedabad for the match, stay there for a couple of days for a short vacation, and come back when the return fare cools down a bit,” said Sonal Kapoor, a 27-year-old market research professional and a Park Street resident.Even hotel tariffs have seen a ripple effect. A travel agent in Kolkata confirmed that rates in both Ahmedabad and Mumbai have jumped since the schedule changes. “Hotel tariffs have gone up by more than 10%,” said a travel agent. Travel-related searches to Ahmedabad also increased by 40%.City IPL fans were left devastated after the IPL final and qualifier 2, which were scheduled to be held at the Eden Gardens, were moved out of the stadium fearing rain playing spoilsport. It also created a political furore, with a section of BJP leaders claiming the match was shifted citing security issues, while TMC leadership claimed BJP’s high-handedness to hold all important cricket matches at the stadium named after the prime minister.Since KKR won the title last year, Eden Gardens was announced as the host of the grand finale and second qualifier, and it was expected to witness a packed house for the marquee clash. With fear of monsoon hitting the area in June, the association reportedly even submitted IMD data to the BCCI, asserting that conditions in Kolkata would remain favourable for hosting the matches, but the BCCI decided otherwise.“I have supported RCB for years and seeing Virat Kohli live in a final is a dream,” said Subhajit Banerjee, a young musician. “I will watch Sunday’s qualifier and then take a final call on booking flight tickets to Ahmedabad for the once-in-a-lifetime experience and hope Virat Kohli gets to lift the trophy finally.”
