Happy news for expats; Centre to end unchecked airfare hikes

NEW DELHI: The central government is planning to scrap the provision that allows airlines to notify the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of the changes in fares within 24 hours. This move aims to curb the frequent increase in airfare prices. It was Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu who announced this during the discussion of the Aviation Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The government's move is aimed at curbing the irregularities in air ticket prices and preventing the increase in fares. The minister clarified that from now on airlines will not be able to hike airfare fares as they like.

The Parliament passed the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill on Thursday. According to the 2010 DGCA circular, airlines must inform the DGCA about ticket price changes a month in advance. The same circular also states that airlines must notify the DGCA within 24 hours if they make any changes to the notified price. This provision has been removed in the new bill. The Ministry of Civil Aviation believes that this move will prevent unregulated airfare hikes.