Make flights affordable during emergencies, cap prices, say passengers

Two weeks ago, a parliamentary panel insisted that the government restrain predatory airfares.

The Air Passengers’ Association of India (APAI) has supported the Parliamentary Standing Committee’s decision to fix an upper limit for air fares so that tickets are affordable to all during peak seasons and emergencies.

A section of Parliamentarians have been demanding a cap on air fares. (HT)

APAI has also appealed for transparency while fixing fares and the refund amount in case of cancellations.

Two weeks ago, a parliamentary panel insisted that the government restrain predatory airfares. However, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said airlines were free to fix their fares because the prices depend on demand and keeping a tab on it by the government was not possible.

A section of Parliamentarians have been demanding a cap on air fares.

Supporting them, the APAI said it was in favour of airlines making reasonable profits to survive in the business. “The airlines are of the opinion that the fares in the 1980s and 1990s were higher than what it is now. The state would have a monopoly in the domestic sector of airlines then. Now, there is competition, so the market should play its role in fixing the fare. Also, the number of air passengers have increased rapidly so there is alway sscope for profit,” said D Sudhakara Reddy, president, APAI.

According to APAI, regular surveys in academic institutions in the West indicate the level of satisfaction of passengers, some conducted by the airlines themselves. “Despite being the world’s third largest aviation market, Indian companies pay little attention to collating feedback, although they are the biggest beneficiaries in the game,” said Reddy.