Lok Sabha Question No. 1980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: High Air Fares on North Eastern States Routes
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Sudheer Gupta, Shri Chavan Ravindra Vasantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1980

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  11th December 2025 )

## HIGH AIR FARES ON NORTH EASTERN STATES ROUTES

1980.    SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA

SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE

SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  request  or  representation  from  the  North Eastern States regarding unusually high air fares on routes connecting North Eastern States to other major cities of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the response of the Government in this regard;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  regulate  or  rationalise  airfares  on  these  routes  to ensure affordability for passengers and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government also proposes to increase flight frequency and improve airline connectivity to  North  Eastern  States  from  major  cities  of  the  country  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  any  long-term  measures  to  stabilise  airfare fluctuations in the North-Eastern region; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the proposed road map for the same?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (c):  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.  The  pricing  of  airfares  is  subject  to  dynamic  fluctuations influenced by the fundamental economic forces of supply and demand. Various determinants such as current seat occupancy, fuel costs, aircraft capacity, seasonal fluctuations and other relevant factors significantly impact airline ticket pricing.;

;

Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on receiving concern regarding high airfare to/from  Imphal,  conducted  meeting  with  the  scheduled  domestic  airlines  viz.  Indigo,  Air India Express & Alliance Air operating to/from Imphal on 06th Nov, 2025.; ; During  meeting,  it  was  advised  to  airlines  to  moderate  the  airfares  keeping  passengers' interest  in  mind  and  to  rationalize  their  tariff  sheets  to  be  transparent  and  user-friendly. Airlines  were  also  advised  to  ensure  effective  utilization  of  all  available  seats  while maintaining fare affordability.; ; (d) to (f): During aforementioned meeting, airlines were also advised to consider increasing capacity in order to ensure uninterrupted travel and smoother passenger movement.; ; Furthermore, under the  Regional  Connectivity  Scheme  -  Ude  Desh  ka  Aam  Nagrik  (RCSUDAN),  a  total  of  164  priority  routes  have  been  awarded  for  fixed-wing  aircraft  and helicopter  operations  in  the  North  Eastern  States,  out  of  which  90  routes  have  been operationalised. Under the scheme, 7 Airports and 2 Heliports have been operationalized in the North Eastern Region.; ; To further strengthen and expand regional air connectivity, the Government has announced the  launch  of  the  modified  UDAN  Scheme  to  increase  regional  connectivity  to  120  new destinations  across  the  country,  to  cater  to  4  crore  passengers  over  the  next  10  years.  The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and North East region districts. The scheme is currently at the formulation stage.

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