New Delhi: If you are complaining about high air fares ahead of the festive season, this should interest you. The aviation ministry is examining if air fares can be capped at Rs. 2500, matching rail fares.
"We have a 300-million-strong middle class population and most desire to fly at least once in their lifetime. It is possible if we make the fare in a bracket of Rs. 2500 for an hour-long flight," said Mahesh Sharma, junior minister for aviation.
But here's the catch: These cheap flights will operate only in small towns and cities.
There are as many 31 airports, mostly in small towns and cities, where airlines have either never flown or have stopped flying because of poor passenger loads.
The government plans to revive these destinations by starting low fare flights. "Our airport charges will be reduced, we will ask the states to reduce value added taxes (VAT) and other taxes on such flights. We will ask the airlines to take a fare cut," said Mr Sharma.
02/10/15 Sandeep Phukan/NDTV
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"We have a 300-million-strong middle class population and most desire to fly at least once in their lifetime. It is possible if we make the fare in a bracket of Rs. 2500 for an hour-long flight," said Mahesh Sharma, junior minister for aviation.
But here's the catch: These cheap flights will operate only in small towns and cities.
There are as many 31 airports, mostly in small towns and cities, where airlines have either never flown or have stopped flying because of poor passenger loads.
The government plans to revive these destinations by starting low fare flights. "Our airport charges will be reduced, we will ask the states to reduce value added taxes (VAT) and other taxes on such flights. We will ask the airlines to take a fare cut," said Mr Sharma.
02/10/15 Sandeep Phukan/NDTV
