(a) whether the cost of air travel from Delhi to Singapore, Hong Kong and other foreign destinations is cheaper than travelling between Delhi to Trivandrum;
(b) if so, the reason for difference in airfares; and
(c) the measures proposed to be taken to reduce cost of domestic air travel?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK )
(a) and (b): The published fares on international routes are fixed through IATA`s machinery and subsequently put up to the respective Governments for approval. However, the actual fares quoted in the market are usually lower than International Air Transport Association (IATA) fares.
Fares on International sectors vary from sector to sector and depend upon seasonality and competition. Cost strecture of Delhi-Trivendrum is effected by domestic Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices which is higher by approximately 50% compared to ATF on international flights from India to other countries.
(c): There is no proposal to reduce the domestic fares across the board. Airline operators, however, introduce promotional fares from time to time on some domestic sectors, which are lower than the normal fares.