DGCA can’t cap airfares without discussing with airlines

In the recent past, there have been concerns over sharp fluctuations in airfares, but the aviation regulator Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA) has said that they need to discuss with airlines before deciding any upper cap on ticket prices.

"If a capping of airfares is required, then we will have to have discussions with them airlines," said DGCA Director General M Sathiyavathy.

When asked if capping airfare is a practical option when we have free market principles, Sathiyavathy said, "Let's see. We need to have discussions."

The highest fare bucket or class rates levied by domestic airlines will start to be made public by DGCA from this month.

She was also enquired about noticing significant fluctuations in air ticket prices, to which she said, "If the average rise has been less than 1.5 per cent or a maximum of 2 per cent in high fare bucket for the month of April. We will be monitoring it every month."

On the issue of airlines increasing the charges for ticket cancellation, she said that DGCA is looking into the matter.

"We have been trying to compare with international trends and like that.Analysis of cancellation charges will take more time," she said.

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