20 MPs seek action against alleged air fare cartelisation

NEW DELHI: Expressing concerns over the conduct of airlines, a group of 20 Parliamentarians today asked the government to look into the issues of steep hike in air fares during festival season and high ticket cancellation charges.

The demand of the MPs come less than a week after many members in Rajya Sabha asked the government to put in place a regulatory mechanism to ensure that Indian carriers do not charge "arbitrary" and "exorbitant" air fares.

Led by BJP Member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya, the 20 members today submitted representations to Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

The members have flagged concerns about airfares being hiked in a "monopolistic manner" during summer, Diwali and Christmas vacations, arbitrary and high cancellation charges. Besides they have cited delays and cancellation of flights.

Somaiya, who is also the Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Energy, has sought action by the government to stop "arbitrary fare hike by the airline Indigo, Jet Airways and others".

As there is no proper forum or redressal system, the airlines are indulging in cartelisation and exploiting air travellers, the lawmakers alleged in the representation.

Last week, Rajya Sabha members had demanded a regulatory mechanism to check air fares and at that time, Raju had said such a system would mean "caps and floors" which would have implications for the ailing civil aviation sector.

Responding to the demand, Raju had said the "complicated situation (facing the sector) does not have simplistic answers", but assured members that he would try to find ways.

Earlier, more than 100 Parliamentarians had written to the Civil Aviation Ministry raising concerns over the movement of air fares and most of them were also in favour of regulations to control the prices.