Don't charge extra, pvt airlines told

The government today directed private airlines not to charge exorbitant fares from passengers hit by the Air India pilots’ strike.

“I have told the airlines not to charge more than what they have posted on their websites and they have agreed to do so,” said Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi.

He said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was closely monitoring the fares and action would be taken if found necessary. “The government cannot and will not agree to any such situation,” he said.

The directive came at a meeting of DGCA chief E K Bharat Bhushan held with senior officials of private airlines, following complaints that exorbitant spot-fares were being charged.

The spot fares or the last moment air ticket prices are those which are charged two hours before the scheduled departure of a flight. Ticket prices on private carriers currently range between Rs 9,000 and Rs 18,000 on several sectors. The cost of a Mumbai-Delhi ticket, which is a high-density sector, ranges between Rs 9,000 and Rs 15,000. Similarly, a Mumbai-Bangalore ticket would cost Rs 13,000 and Rs 15,000.