(a) whether some private airlines have their monopoly on
fare, time and even on operation of flight in those sectors
where Indian Airlines does not operate as a result thereof
passengers have to suffer a lot;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to tackle
the problem alongwith the action taken/being taken against
such airlines?
MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS & MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION
( SHRI VAYALAR RAVI )
(a) to (c):- Airlines tariffs are market determined and
takes into account all relevant factors, including the cost
of operation, characteristics of services and reasonable
profit to the airlines. Generally Scheduled airlines offer
different fare buckets for each flight, in line with the
practice followed in other part of the world. As the lower
fare buckets get sold out, the passengers pay progressively
higher fare with the increase in demand for seats.
With regard to time slots, it may be stated that time slots
for operation of flight and routes to be flown are filed by
the airlines on the basis of commercial inputs and
operational feasibility.
Operations in domestic sector have been deregulated and
flights are being operated by concerned airlines on the
basis of commercial viability subject to adherence of Route
Dispersal Guidelines. Government has laid down Route
Dispersal Guidelines with a view to achieving better
regulation of air transport services taking into account the
need for air transport services of different regions of the
country including North-East region. It is, however, up to
the airlines to provide air services to specific places
depending upon the traffic demand and commercial viability
while complying with Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDG).