Govt Cracks Down on High Airfares: Strengthening Tariff Monitoring Unit to Prevent Opportunistic Pricing
Image Source: Internet
The Indian government is taking a stern stance against high airfares, particularly in the wake of the recent Indigo crisis. In a bid to prevent opportunistic pricing, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is strengthening the tariff monitoring unit of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). According to Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, the surge in airfares is largely due to the deregulated nature of the sector, leading to a mismatch in demand and supply. However, the government is working to address this issue by monitoring more domestic and international routes. In a recent written reply to a starred question, Naidu revealed that the Ministry regularly monitors the functioning of the AirSewa grievance redressal mechanism, which has shown an improving trend in passenger satisfaction. The Ministry has also introduced new grievance categories, including 'High Air Fare,' to provide passengers with an easy way to report issues. The government's efforts to control airfares are evident in the recent capping of prices on December 6. Naidu explained that the decision was made in response to the capacity constraints faced by the Indian aviation industry, which led to disruptions and cancellations. The Ministry is committed to keeping airfares reasonable and affordable, and is closely observing the situation to prevent any further price hikes. In the event of price increases, the Ministry is taking swift action to address the issue, as seen during the Kumbh Mela, Pahalgam incident, and COVID-19 pandemic. Key statistics from the AirSewa portal reveal that in 2022, 9,649 complaints were received and all were redressed. In 2023, 14,116 complaints were received and all were redressed, while in 2024, 19,262 complaints were received and all were redressed. In 2025, a total of 16,591 complaints were received, with 16,309 being redressed and 282 pending.
