What Government Said About Increase In Airfare (image:Unsplash/ Zoshua Colah)

New Delhi: The Central government on November 28, Thursday informed the Lok Sabha about the steps they have taken to moderate fluctuations in air ticket prices. In a query posed by DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran over the increase in airfare Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu detailed the initiatives taken in this regard.

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Through continuous engagement with airlines and Online Ticketing Agents (OTAs) and observing the movement of airfares by the government, the airfares have been controlled in 2024 considering 2023, the government has said. During the festival seasons, a decrease in airfares was observed in various sectors, Minister claims. As the domestic passenger traffic is witnessing an upheaval, the airlines have also been aware to enable reasonability while fixing the airfares and to consider passengers’ interest in mind.

The government has held multiple meetings with industry and stakeholders to ensure fair and reasonable airfares, speedy refund to the passengers and effectively handle the issue of fare hike while booking. In addition, Minister said that Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has setup a Tariff Monitoring Unit (TMU) that “monitors airfares on select domestic sectors on random basis by using
airlines websites on monthly basis to ensure that the airlines do not charge airfares outside the range declared by them.”

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Continuing further, Minister held that the airfares are dynamic in nature and it follows the principle of demand and supply. The factors such as market conditions, demand fluctuations, seasonal trends, and operational constraints at airports, influence setting prices. Though adhering to Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, airlines have the authority to determine their airfares and government generally limit themselves from regulating airfares to maintain market competitiveness, Minister said: “it remains vigilant, and the Government intervenes to shift capacity from one sector to another to prevent exorbitant pricing to ensure passenger comfort and welfare.”