Redeployed staff, full flights, limited accommodation: Airlines scramble to handle Prayagraj operations for Mahakumbh

The weekend saw the country record the highest-ever domestic passenger count in history, which now stands at 5.3 lakh passengers in a day. A significant portion of this was powered by the surge in traffic to Prayagraj, where the Mahakumbh is being held, a once-in-144-year phenomenon attracting record crowds. 

The government, in anticipation, expanded the civil enclave, which saw a doubling of bays, the addition of capacity to handle non-scheduled movements, and the expansion of the terminal and other cityside infrastructure. Airlines added capacity, which clearly was insufficient to handle the crowds leading to fares hitting the roof. This was followed by the government prodding the airlines to control the fares as well as launch additional flights.