Lok Sabha Question No. 4124 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Increase in Air Ticket Price
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## Lok Sabha

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4124

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  19th December 2024 )

## INCREASE IN AIR TICKET PRICE

4124.    SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the high airplane ticket prices of busy and most frequented commercial routes in the country are among the costliest globally and even 'Low Cost Carriers' are unaffordable for the public;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  efforts  made  by  the  Government  to ensure affordability of airfare for the public; and
- (c)  the  manner  in  which  the  rapid  spike  in  prices  of  airlines  tickets, especially  the  Delhi  -  Kerala  routes,  has  impacted  the  troubled  aviation sector?

## ANSWER

Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a)  to  (c)  The  airfare  in  India  is  lower than  those  in  most  countries.  The TMU  established  in  DGCA  has  carried  out  a  comparative  analysis  of airfares  offered  on  various  routes  in  the  country  &  foreign  respectively. The analysis reveals that airfare per kilometer offered by Indian carrier is low in India when compared globally.

;

The airfares have moderated in 2024, relative to 2023. The airlines have also been sensitized to ensure reasonability while fixing the airfares and to keep passengers' interest in mind. Notably, during festival seasons, a decrease in airfares was observed in various sectors.;

;

Airfare  established  by  the  airline  is  dynamic  in  nature.  The  trends  in airfare  prices  in  India,  which  also  includes  Delhi-  Kerala  sector,  exhibit considerable  seasonality.  The  months  of  May  and  June  experience heightened traffic, with a notable peak in international travel commencing in mid-July, which concurrently influences domestic demand. From July to September,  there  is  typically  a  decline  in  travel  activity  due  to  the monsoon  season.  Nevertheless,  the  arrival  of  the  festive  season  in October,  particularly  during  the  celebration  of  Diwali,  triggers  a  notable resurgence  in  travel  demand.  By  mid-  January,  travel  demand  begins  to wane, continuing its decline  until  the  final  week  of  April.  Following  this period, a renewed interest in travel coincides with the summer holidays, contributing to an increase in demand once again. This elevated demand leads to increase in fares on these routes.; ; However, the lower fare is available for advance booking much earlier. As time lapses and date of journey approaches closer, the fare on higher side is made available as per the respective airline policy.; ; Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has setup a Tariff Monitoring Unit (TMU) that monitors airfares on select domestic sectors on random basis  by  using  airlines'  websites  on  monthly  basis  to  ensure  that  the airlines do not charge airfares outside the range declared by them.; ; Thus, while the government generally refrains from regulating airfares to maintain market competitiveness, it remains vigilant. ; Given the complex dynamics of the Indian aviation industry, Government is playing the role of a facilitator by way of creating enabling environment to support the growth of the sector.;

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