Lok Sabha Question No. 2008 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-14
Subject: Service to Passengers
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2008

(To be answered on the 14 th  December 2023)

## SERVICE TO PASSENGERS

## 2008. SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

(a): India has a highly seasonal market. Traffic is usually high in the months of May and June, thru mid-July the international traffic flows are high, thus contributing  to  the  domestic  feed  as  well.  July  through  September  is traditionally leaner period as travel is restricted due to monsoon and other religious reasons. In October, with the festive season starting Dussera, traffic picks up again and by middle of January the demand diminishes. Till about the last week of April, this trend of softening of demand continues and again, due to summer holidays, the demand increases.

The airfares are dynamic in nature and follow the principle of demand & supply. The fares are also dependent on a number of other factors such as the number of seats already sold on a particular flight, prevailing fuel price, the capacity of the aircraft operating on the route, competition on the sector, season, holidays, festivals, long weekends, events (sports, fairs, contests) etc.

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the airways charge exorbitant rate during the peak season, if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to fix a maximum charge in ticket to each destination, if so, the details thereof and the action taken in the matter so
- far; and
- (c) whether it has come to the notice of the Government that the companies are not providing accommodation and food to the passengers during the cancellation and inordinate delay of the flights and if so, the action taken by
- the Government thereon?

(b): No Sir. As per prevailing regulation, airfares are neither established nor regulated by the Government. Under the provision of Sub Rule (1) of Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, every air transport undertaking engaged in scheduled air services are required to establish tariff having regard to all relevant factors, including cost of operation, characteristic of services and the generally prevailing tariff. Airlines are free to charge air fares as per their operation viabilities subject to compliance to above said rule. (c): Airlines have to facilitate the passenger affected due to cancellation and delay in flights in accordance with Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 3, Series M, Part IV titled as "Facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays in flights". In  case  of  cancellation,  if  the  passenger  is  not  informed  earlier  of  the cancellation, the airlines shall either provide alternate flight or provide compensation in addition to the full refund of air ticket. In addition, the airline has to provide meals and refreshments to the passengers who have already reported for their original flight at the airport while waiting for the alternate flight. In case of delay, the airline has to provide meals and refreshments/hotel accommodation/alternate flight /full refund to the passenger who has checked in on time depending on the expected delay beyond of its original announced scheduled time of departure. In order to check the compliance of laid down regulation by scheduled domestic airlines, DGCA carries out inspections at various airports in the country on random basis. During inspection, if an airline is found in violation of the provisions of CAR, necessary penal action, including financial penalty, is imposed against the airline.

- *****