New Delhi: Following the cancellation of several SpiceJet flights, Delhi airport saw a host of angry passengers. Passengers said they had to buy “very high spot fares” to reach their destinations since the cancellation of flights has put tremendous pressure on the existing seat-carrying capacity of other airlines.
Aviation regulator DGCA could examine whether other airlines are charging higher fares by taking advantage of the situation. A leading travel online company said on Wednesday that spot fares for the top three routes had gone up significantly compared to spot fares even in June this year. A search on an online travel website on Wednesday evening for a one-way Delhi-Mumbai ticket cost Rs59,000 at the maximum range, and a one-way Delhi-Hyderabad ticket Rs14,000 to Rs46,000.
Sources said national carrier Air India is also examining a contingency plan to operate wide-bodied aircraft on key metro routes “in the national interest” to avoid more inconvenience for passengers if widespread fresh cancellations by SpiceJet continue.In a highly significant move, the civil aviation ministry is expected to discuss a proposal to decide both minimum and maximum fare depending on the price per km.
The proposed minimum fare is to ensure that airlines meet operating costs while the maximum is to ensure that passengers are not overcharged on spot fares.The civil aviation ministry is examining whether a maximum fare of cap of Rs15,000 should be decided upon. Currently, the government does not interfere in air fares.
