MUMBAI: Cricket fever is taking off quite literally, and airlines are making sure fans don’t get left on the runway. With Ahmedabad gearing up for the IPL 2026 final on 31 May, Akasa Air has introduced special flights from Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai to accommodate the surge in travel demand ahead of the season’s biggest showdown between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans. The airline will operate four additional services across 31 May and 1 June, giving fans a direct route to the action and a quick journey home once the final ball is bowled. The move comes as airlines and travel operators witness a sharp spike in bookings linked to the championship clash.
The special schedule has been designed around match timings. Flight QP 6892 will depart Bengaluru at 9:30 am on 31 May and land in Ahmedabad at 11:50 am, while QP 6882 will leave Navi Mumbai at 2:45 pm and arrive in Ahmedabad at 4:15 pm.
For returning supporters, Akasa has lined up overnight services immediately after the match. Flight QP 6885 will depart Ahmedabad for Navi Mumbai at 3:10 am on 1 June and arrive at 4:45 am, while QP 6887 will take off for Bengaluru at 4:10 am, reaching the city by 6:35 am.
Beyond simply getting fans to the stadium city, the airline is adding a touch of match-day atmosphere onboard. Passengers will be able to track live developments through SkyScore, Akasa’s in-flight score update service, while the airline’s SkyLights cabin lighting system will illuminate aircraft interiors in the colours of the Indian tricolour.
Travellers will also have access to Café Akasa, the carrier’s onboard meal service, during the journey.
Ahmedabad already sits at the centre of Akasa Air’s growing network, with regular connections to nine domestic and international destinations. The temporary expansion underscores how major sporting events are increasingly shaping travel patterns, with airlines moving quickly to capture demand generated by marquee fixtures.
As the countdown to the IPL final gathers pace, Akasa is betting that for thousands of cricket fans, the quickest route to the trophy presentation may just be through the boarding gate.
