The regulator wants ticket-wise fare data from airlines for two years
It claims this is for analysis — but industry sees red flags
Sharing detailed fare data could harm competition, airlines argue
Pricing strategy is key to survival in a deregulated market
Since fare deregulation in 1994, air travel has soared
In 2024, India flew over 300 million passengers
The push appears linked to outrage over high Kumbh Mela fares
Airlines offered broad data, not granular ticket details
TCS will analyse the data — but it's part of the Tata Group, which owns Air India, a potential rival
Heavy-handed data collection could lead to fare controls
That risks undoing decades of aviation reform and growth