New Delhi: The Centre is stepping up oversight of airfares to curb opportunistic pricing and protect passengers, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu told the Rajya Sabha on 15 December.
He said the ministry is strengthening the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) tariff monitoring unit and expanding surveillance across more domestic as well as international routes.
Noting that air travel involves multiple stakeholders, including security agencies such as the CISF, the minister said the government is working to ensure a smooth passenger experience at every stage of travel.
He explained that airfare spikes usually occur in a deregulated market when demand significantly exceeds available capacity.
Referring to the recent decision to cap fares, Naidu said the move followed disruptions caused by capacity constraints during the IndiGo crisis, which led to cancellations and distress among travellers.
With IndiGo being the largest carrier, the impact on the market was substantial, resulting in higher fares.
The minister added that the government closely monitors other factors influencing ticket prices and remains in constant engagement with airlines.
He cited past interventions during events such as the Kumbh Mela, the Pahalgam incident and the COVID-19 pandemic as examples of timely action to keep air travel affordable.
