Conflicts in Manipur Causes Sudden Increase in Airfare, Leaving Passengers Stranded at Imphal Airport

Imphal, Manipur: As of Monday, Airfare from Imphal to Kolkata touches it peaks, more than 20,000 flight price for one person, surged six to eight times more than their usual price due to ongoing violence in Manipur. The violent situation has led to a rush of people trying to leave the state, resulting in high fair price from Imphal to Kolkata. In response IndiGo Airlines has started two additional flights from Imphal to Kolkata after looking over to the situation in Manipur. The additional flights started between the two points had already fully booked on first flight, as per Airport Authority of India. 

The ongoing situation in the state resulting in all Kolkata bound flights being fully booked. As per report by TOI, travel agency have suggested that flight price are unlikely to come down soon because of the high demand. On the other hand, several Airlines companies are planning to increase the flights between the two points to satisfy the current situation demands. 

Large amount of passengers are waiting outside the Imphal Airport, have been sleeping outside the Airport. The Imphal Airport is working at its full capacity. The Airport Authority of India has opened special food and snacks counter at the Airport, selling foods at its market price. Moreover, Airport Authority distributed free food and water to most of the stranded passengers at Imphal Airport. 

An bank officer from Behala, Imphal, who has been stationed in Imphal for a year, shared his concern about the current situation in Manipur. "I have witnessed two major violent incidents in front of the Ima Market where I live" the officer added. The bank officer added "I am tensed about my safety and the difficulty of  re scheduling his flight due to the full flights and high fares". He added "public movement is been limited and only people with air tickets are able to get out of the violent situation in Imphal, Manipur".