Question : SERVICES COVERED UNDER TRANSPORT SERVICES

(a) whether services provided by public sector and private aviation companies, operating in the domestic sector, are covered under transport services;

(b) if so, whether the Government proposes to fix air fares on the lines of train and bus services;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be done;

(d) if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether complaints about airlines charging different rates for travel on same routes on the same day have been received by the Government; and

(f) if so, the measures being adopted by the Government to ensure that air passengers are not exploited on this account?

MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS & MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI VAYALAR RAVI )

(a):- Yes, Madam.

(b) to (d):- Airlines tariffs are market determined and takes into account all relevant factors, including the cost of operation, characteristics of services etc. Generally Scheduled airlines offer different fare buckets for each flight, in line with the practice followed in other parts of the world. As the lower fare buckets get sold out, the passengers pay progressively higher fare with the increase in demand for seats.

(e) and (f):- This office has not received such complaints. However, with a view to maintain transparency in tariff publication, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken following steps:- Scheduled domestic airlines have been asked to display established tariff route-wise and fare category-wise on monthly basis and also to notify noticeable changes to DGCA within 24 hrs of affecting such a change. The intention behind the above directions is to keep the passengers informed of pricing pattern of airlines.- A Tariff Analysis Unit has been set up in DGCA to monitor tariff on regular basis.