Peak-Season Flight Cancellations Hit Weddings and Tourism; Hotel Industry Suffers Major Blow

A sudden wave of flight cancellations during the peak winter season has disrupted wedding plans, travel schedules, and tourism activities across Madhya Pradesh. Families preparing for major celebrations have been forced to postpone events, while hotels and wildlife tourism hotspots are experiencing an unexpected dip in bookings.

Impact on Weddings at the Busiest Time of the Year

Indore, which usually witnesses a surge in weddings and related events in December and January, is now struggling to cope with a barrage of last-minute postponement requests.
A family hosting an engagement ceremony in the city had to defer the event after guests were unable to travel due to cancelled flights.

Sumit Suri, Chairman of the MP Chapter, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India, said:
“Weddings are a major revenue source, and the sudden flight cancellations have created serious challenges. Families are uncertain, and hotels are witnessing last-minute changes and cancellations.”

Tourism Sector Takes a Hit

The tourism sector is facing similar disruptions. Popular wildlife destinations such as Kuno, Gandhi Sagar, Kanha, and Bandhavgarh—typically crowded in the winter months—are reporting delayed or altered travel itineraries.

Yuvraj Padole, Deputy Director (Events & Marketing), MP Tourism Board, commented that it may take some time to assess the full impact on the state’s tourism revenue and footfall.

Domestic Airfares Skyrocket

With Indigo flights facing persistent delays and cancellations, domestic airfares have surged sharply.
Shockingly, fares from Indore to Delhi and Mumbai have at times exceeded the cost of flying to international destinations like Sharjah. Passengers are being forced to deal with long delays, abrupt cancellations, and steep fare hikes—all at once.

A Season of Uncertainty

The cascading effect of disrupted air travel during peak season has shaken the hotel and tourism industries. As airlines work to stabilize operations, families, travellers, and hospitality businesses are waiting anxiously for normalcy to return.