DGCA finds no discrepancies in air fare movements

India's airline regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has said it has begun monitoring air fares on an hourly basis and has found no discrepancies since the beginning of the current festive season that started late September this year even as airlines have jacked up fares by almost 50 to 60 per cent or more in metro sectors.
"We have begun monitoring air fares on hourly basis. We have not found any discrepancy during this festive season," E. K Bharat Bhushan, director general, DGCA said on Monday.
Airlines jacked up fares on some metro sectors during Diwali. Fares are generally much higher as the weekend approaches.
Last minute one-way fares to cities like Jaipur, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram have gone up by Rs. 25,000-Rs. 30,000.
Last year a similar crisis had built up where airlines had hiked fares exorbitantly.
In December 2010, the government had rejected a proposal by domestic airlines for a massive fare hike and warned them of penalty and other action if the lastminute ticket prices were raised sharply.
Airlines argue that fares are decided on demand and supply. If the load increases, the fares, including last minute fares, rise, they say. The government does not regulate airfares but leave it to market forces.
01/11/11 Mail Today/India Today

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Nov 2011