Airlines asked to list breakup of fares

Hyderabad: The civil aviation ministry has directed all carriers to disclose the total amount a passenger has to pay to the airline in a move to ensure greater transparency in airfares.
The directive comes as a relief for all air travelers as airlines will provide a complete break-up of the surcharges a passenger needs to pay in addition to the basic fare. Besides the basic fare, a passenger pays airport tax, fuel surcharge, passenger service fee (PSF) to the airline. Some airports also charge a user development fee (UDF) for availing the services at the airport.
The composite fare would ensure that no additional amount is charged by the airline over and above the airfare. The move by the ministry comes after several passengers and travel agents were up in arms for the misinformation about the airfare provided by the airlines to the passengers, said Vijay Mohan Raj, Chairman Communications, TAAI.
The travel agents under all the five associations namely Travel Agents Association of India, Travel Agents Federation of India, Indian Association of Tour Operators, Association of Inbound Tour Operators, IATA Agents Association of India had earlier raised objections on the airlines decision waive commission. Rs 33,000 crore comes from bookings made by the agents, said Vijay Mohan Raj.
01/05/09 Economic Times

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General May 2009