Govt can cap airfares but it is not single-way solution: Aviation Min

Says domestic pricing aligns with global norms and long-term trends show a 43% real-term fall

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu told the Lok Sabha on Friday that although the government holds exclusive authority to impose caps on airfares during extraordinary situations, such intervention cannot by itself resolve concerns over rising ticket prices.

His remarks came during a debate on a private member's resolution titled “Appropriate Measures to Regulate Airfare in the Country’, moved by Congress MP Shafi Parambil, who later withdrew the proposal.

Naidu said the aviation ecosystem operates at several levels and that issues related to airline viability must be viewed in that context. He cited the recent distancebased cap imposed on domestic fares earlier this month following widespread IndiGo flight disruptions. According to him, domestic ticket pricing remains “on par with other nations” and imposing a nationwide cap would not be feasible.