Airlines can?t charge fares at will: Praful Patel

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Friday said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is unsatisfied with the inflated airfares and that the airlines cannot charges fares at their will.

?The exorbitant hike in airfares has caused inconvenience to passengers. Now that the aviation sector is back on high growth track, corrective action must be taken immediately,? Patel said at a press conference.

?Airlines cannot charge fares at will,” he said.

He further said airlines can?t act against the ?spirit of liberalization?.

“We don’t expect airlines to act against the spirit of liberalization. DGCA is not satisfied with the response from most airlines on airfares range.

?We want to know from airlines more transparently and most definitely what will they charge. DGCA is not an authority to dictate fares but we are not helpless against high fares,” Patel said.

This is not the first time Patel voiced his discontent over shooting airfares.

On Nov 25, Patel slammed airline operators for escalating fares.

“Airlines are charging excessive high fares from common people. Either they act responsibly, or the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will have to take strict action against them,” Patel had said.

?The government has already sent notices to airlines on this matter,? he added.

Patel?s statement comes a day after he met DGCA officials and reviewed current airfares.

According to DGCA sources, fares of most airlines have shot up at least 25% after Diwali.

Meanwhile, the DGCA has asked the airlines to regularly publish fares they are charging for all sectors on their websites and newspapers.