Ahmedabad–US airfares nosedive as visa rush slows

Ahmedabad: If you have ever dreamt of flying to the United States but were grounded by sky-high airfare, this summer might just be your moment, provided you have a valid visa to the American land.
A sharp dip in travel demand, especially among students, coupled with visa woes for tourists and foreign education aspirants, has led to a dramatic fall in airfare prices from Ahmedabad to the US, offering a golden window for globetrotters, according to industry players.For travel booked on May 8 for a round trip between June 8 and 21, the cost of a one-stop, 19-hour flight between Ahmedabad and the US is now pegged at approximately Rs 85,000. That breaks down to just Rs 42,500 one-way — nearly or less than half of what flyers paid last year. Compare that with the jaw-dropping summer 2024 fares that reached up to Rs 2.2 lakh for a round trip."This is a steep decline as compared to last year. It will benefit tourists who plan to visit the US this year. However, there is a marked 35-40% decline in group tour bookings to the US, thanks to visa issues and unavailability of slots for visitor visas. Moreover, the uncertainty around policies of the new govt, more people are refraining from making travel plans to the US," said Manish Sharma, owner of a travel company from Ahmedabad.Visa woes have deterred many visitors from going to the US. An overall reduced intake has impacted airfares. Virendra Shah, a travel expert, said, "A combination of factors including changing visa policies amidst geopolitical shifts have caused fewer flyers to visit the US. With the US govt's stricter immigration stance tightening the pipeline for students and tourists, the once-bursting outbound traffic from India has notably thinned. Fewer visa approvals mean fewer fliers, and airlines are responding by slashing prices to fill up seats. Due to stricter policies, people are rethinking their travel plans."According to travel industry players, flights to the US from not just Ahmedabad, but also Mumbai and Delhi, are seeing a similar trend. "Due to visa issues, fewer students are going this time around as compared to last year. Moreover, student visits will begin from July-end onwards for the fall intake and therefore, the current airfares will certainly be less," said Bhavin Thaker, foreign education consultant.Additionally, improved air connectivity between India and the US has played a key role in the reduction of fares. With more one-stop options and streamlined connections through international hubs, flyers now enjoy better schedules and competitive pricing. This fare drop comes as an unexpected relief for leisure travellers, business professionals and even Indian Americans planning to visit family back home.Photo Quotes:Leisure travel remains strong, with 15-day tourist packages selling well for those with valid visitor visas. Such tourists currently benefit from lower airfares to the US.Virendra Shah, travel expertStudent travel numbers this season are expected to be lower due to visa issues and limited appointment availability. Airfares are likely to increase towards the end of July as the peak season for the fall intake begins Bhavin Thaker, foreign education consultant

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