With airfares increasing, Members of the Committee on Estimates, which met earlier this week, grilled top officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and demanded quick action to curb overpricing of air tickets. 

A section of the members sought to hold the open market economy responsible for the present situation and favoured setting up of a body to ensure that airfares do not rise suddenly in the future. “Somebody has to be responsible for controlling airfares. The situation should not be allowed to go out of hand like the recent past,” said Francisco Sardinha, Head, Member of the Committee. 

The Competition Commission of India has asked its investigation wing to inquire into the possible cartel-like behaviour in fare hike by airlines. The Commission has also asked MoCA to share information about the fare hike by airlines with it. The suo motu action by the Commission follows media reports and the statements by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on steep hike in fares announced by airlines in non-peak season last month. Some members were concerned over the delays in flights due to various reasons and wanted the airliners, at least the national carrier, to strictly follow schedules. 

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