Lok Sabha Question No. 1436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Balanced and Accessible Aviation Ecosystem
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1436

(To be answered on the 13 th  February 2025)

## BALANCED AND ACCESSIBLE AVIATION ECOSYSTEM

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## 1436. SHRI K SUDHAKARAN

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the defined role of the Government in the development, regulation and facilitation of the aviation industry, especially in ensuring the growth of a balanced and accessible aviation ecosystem for the country;
- (b) the corrective steps being taken to address critical issues faced by the general public, such as the frequent and exorbitant rise in airfare during peak seasons, in view of the position of the Government as a key stakeholder in the aviation sector;
- (c) whether the Government engages in dialogue/negotiations with airline companies on critical issues like excessive price hikes, inadequate connectivity to underserved regions and other public concern and if so, the details thereof along with the outcomes of these discussions; and
- (d) the manner in which the outcome of the said discussions are aligned with the goal of ensuring affordability and equitable access to air travel for all sections of society?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) to (d): The National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016 aims at creating an ecosystem to make flying affordable to masses while ensuring safe, secure, affordable and sustainable travel for air passengers and transportation of cargo with access to various parts of India and the world.

DGCA, inter-alia, issues approvals, certifications, and licenses as per the laid down Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements which are in line with the international standards, and national requirements.

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.

Regular consultations are held with airlines and airlines are sensitized to exercise moderation/ self- regulation while fixing the airfares and to keep passengers' interest in mind. As the festival's peak days approach, especially during the forthcoming Maha Kumbh's and other important Shahi Snans, airlines have taken further steps to enhance capacity to accommodate in order to ease pressure on airfare.

The airlines have committed to ensure that airfares do not surge during events such as natural disasters, calamities, pandemic, Mahakumb, etc.

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.

Rule 135 (2) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 requires airlines to display established tariff on their respective website with a 'single consolidated fare' and give its complete break-up also for consumer's benefit.

The airlines are mandated to display the Tariff Sheet at a prominent location on the home page of airlines' website.

Airfares are not subject to regulation by the Government and airlines have the flexibility to determine their airfares based on their operational needs, while adhering to Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. While the government generally  refrains  from  regulating  airfares  to  maintain  market competitiveness, however, it remains vigilant, and the Government intervenes to shift capacity from one sector to another to prevent exorbitant pricing to ensure passenger comfort and welfare.

Further, it is stated that the enhancement of capacity through the induction of additional aircraft fleets, the modernization of existing airports, and the development of new airports have rendered air travel more accessible to the general public. This expansion has consequently led to a significant increase in domestic air traffic, as evidenced by the rise in passenger volumes from 70 million in the fiscal year 2014-15 to 153 million in the fiscal year 2023-24. Furthermore, during the current fiscal year 2024-25, as of December, domestic  passenger  traffic  has  reached  122.2  million  surpassing  the corresponding figure of 114.53 million for the fiscal year 2023-24, thereby reflecting an impressive growth rate of 6.7%.

The Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN)

was envisaged in National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016. The scheme envisages providing connectivity to un-served and underserved airports of the country through revival of existing air strips and airports. In pursuance of the policy, the Government has been taking concrete steps to take flying to the masses by making it affordable, convenient and also provide safe, secure, affordable  and  sustainable  air  travel  for  passengers  as  well  as  air transportation of cargo with access to various parts of India and the world and establish an integrated ecosystem which is leading to significant growth of the civil aviation sector which in turn is also promoting tourism, increasing employment and leading to balanced regional growth across the country.

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