E-Paper
Fliers go to court over high air fares despite low fuel cost
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price in the year 2005 was Rs 36,761 and surcharge on your flight ticket was Rs 200. Now in the year 2009, ATF price is Rs 32,691 while surcharge on the same ticket is Rs 2,700. Air Passenger Association of India (APAI), a non-profit body that works in the interest of air travellers, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Madras High Court demanding an explanation. Soubhik Mitra reports.
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) price in the year 2005 was Rs 36,761 and surcharge on your flight ticket was Rs 200. Now in the year 2009, ATF price is Rs 32,691 while surcharge on the same ticket is Rs 2,700.
Air Passenger Association of India (APAI), a non-profit body that works in the interest of air travellers, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Madras High Court demanding an explanation.
Last week Kingfisher, Jet Airways and their budget subsidiaries hiked fuel surcharge upto Rs 300. The tax component has been hiked by Rs 200 for flights upto 750 km and Rs 300 for distance above that respectively.
Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the regulating agency, too has floated a proposal asking airlines to publish all advertisements showing the full break of cost. “Fancy advertisements by airlines have misled travellers. Our passenger feedback showed that,” Nasim Zaidi, director general, DGCA. Though he did not give a timeline for its implementation, Zaidi, said the proposal is on the priority list.
“Airlines have been misleading passengers by advertising fancy fares like Re 1, Rs 99 etc,” said Sudhakar Reddy, national president, APAI. “Only while buying the ticket you pay more and then you are told that all the components had not been added in the earlier price.”
According to the Federation of Indian Airlines, body formed by scheduled airlines, the industry lost about 30 per cent train travellers in the last three months of 2008.
