The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken a tough stance to curb the exorbitant price increases that accompany the festive season especially in view of forthcoming festivals Diwali and Chhath. The ministry has directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to monitor airfares during the festive season and take necessary action if fares rise sharply. It has also directed airlines to operate additional flight.
DGCA is mandated by Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to keep a watch on airfares, especially during the festive season and take appropriate measures in case of a surge in prices.
Accordingly, the DGCA proactively took up the issue with airlines and asked them to augment flight capacities for the festive season by deploying additional flights to meet high demand.
In response, airlines informed that they are adding the following additional flights.
IndiGo: Deployment of approx. 730 additional flights across 42 sectors.
Air India & Air India Express: Deployment of approx. 486 additional flights across 20 sectors.
SpiceJet: Deployment of approx. 546 additional flights across 38 sectors.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will maintain rigorous oversight of airline fares and flight capacities to protect passengers’ interests during the festive season.