PM expresses concern over high airfares during festive seasons

THE HINDU,02SEP2015

Last week, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma had said the issue of predatory pricing has been a concern for majority of Parliamentarians as well as the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed concern over steep rise in airfares during festive seasons and the Civil Aviation Ministry is looking at ways to curb such instances, a senior ministry official said.

The official said that Mr. Modi also asked whether there is way to handle the issue.

Prime Minister received a representation that airfares are high during the Onam festival that is celebrated in Kerala. At that time, many Keralites — working in the Middle East come home with their families — have to shell out high prices of air tickets, the official said.

“High airfares during festivals is a cause for concern. We will try to address both in international and domestic routes,” the official said, while ruling out the option of regulating fares.

One of the ways to reduce fares is through encouraging the use of unutilised bilateral rights with other countries, which would increase the availability of seats and result in reduced airfares, the official said.

Last week, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma had said the issue of predatory pricing has been a concern for majority of Parliamentarians as well as the Prime Minister.