Govt to cap Airfares during crises, natural calamities?

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: The government is contemplating to reign in exorbitant price in air fares during natural calamities or unpredictable situations, as per media reports.

A report published in the Hindu said that Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju is set to hold talks with domestic airlines to cap airfares on situation of crises, natural calamities and agitations.

TMC leader Saugata Roy had recently urged the government to rein in the rising airfares.

Citing the situation during the recent Jat agitation when airfares skyrocketed for flights to and from Chandigarh, Roy had said that the government should have a role in having some regulations.

During holidays and festivals too, air fares goes through the roof, he noted.

In the recent times, concerns have been expressed in various quarters about rising airfares despite fall in fuel prices, which account for over 40 percent of a carrier's total operating costs.