Airfares remain on erratic flight path

It may be too soon to rejoice about current fares being cheaper than the sky-high ones during Diwali as another upward swing could be in the offing, say industry experts

THE recent reduction in airfares may be giving flyers a reason to smile, but their joy may just be short-lived. Though the skyrocketing airfares seem to have been reined in at the moment, prices are unlikely to remain stable at current figures for long, say industry experts.

Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) President Sudhakar Reddy said, "The fares have come down for now but airlines are eminently capable of increasing fares at the last minute.
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Industry experts say though the skyrocketing airfares seem to have been reined in at the moment, prices are unlikely to remain stable at current figures for long

We need to continue our push for a stronger regulatory body to supervise the process of deciding airfares. While fares are expected to climb down further in mid-January, a long-term solution to the problem will only be found when the regulatory body is put in place."

While admitting that airfares on the four busiest sectors from Mumbai Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Goa have become cheaper, travel agents expressed doubts about current levels being sustained.

"The fares are relatively cheaper now than they were during Diwali, but tickets which used to cost Rs 3,500 on the Delhi sector before Diwali now cost Rs 5,500 and more. A further hike is expected around March-end," said Devang Sanghvi of Venus Holidays.

"Fares are cheaper compared to the period during and after Diwali, but stability is lacking. Fares can double or triple within hours," pointed out ticketing agent Vikash Kumar.

"I booked a ticket to Goa for the New Year and my ticket from Mumbai cost me Rs 3,500, but the return ticket is costing me Rs 13,000. I fail to understand why I am being charged so much," said bewildered frequent flyer and Borivli resident D Srinivasan.

Aviation Expert Captain Akram Baig said, "Nothing is going to improve and only giving instructions to the airlines to reduce airfares will not work. Authorities should penalise these airlines and sky-high fares can be curbed only when a proper system is established."

MiD DAY Impact
Mid Day was the first to report on airfares reaching an all-time high on November 13. We revisited the fares on November 23 and found that they were the same. After the MiD DAY report, the airline regulatory body, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a circular to all airlines to ensure transparency in the fares. The circular asked the airlines to furnish a copy of the route-wise tariff across its network in various fare categories, in the manner it is offered in the market, to DGCA on the first day of every calendar month. Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel also said that airlines who did not reduce fares will face punitive action.