Madhya Pradesh traders seek fare cap as festive airfares rise 10-fold
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has urged the Centre to impose a maximum fare limit to prevent arbitrary price hikes.
The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) Madhya Pradesh has requested the Centre to impose a maximum fare limit following a significant rise in airfares during festivals and holidays, according to a report by Mint on Monday.
CAIT Bhopal district president and Madhya Pradesh media in-charge Dharmendra Sharma wrote to the Civil Aviation Minister seeking intervention against what he described as arbitrary fare hikes by airlines.
Sharma claimed that ticket prices on flights connecting Madhya Pradesh with major cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata have risen five to 10 times during festivals compared to normal days.
The traders' body alleged that airlines take undue advantage of passengers when train tickets are unavailable or waitlisted during festivals such as Diwali, Holi, Raksha Bandhan and Chhath Puja.
During a meeting with a parliamentary panel on Monday, officials from IndiGo and Air India stated that surging jet fuel costs and the closure of Pakistan airspace were increasing their operational costs.
CAIT has demanded regular monitoring of fares, improved air connectivity for Madhya Pradesh and provisions for action against airlines that violate prescribed limits.