Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Exorbitant Charging Of Air Fare In Delhi Bengaluru Route During ... on 7 December, 2015
Sixteenth Loksabha an> Title: Regarding exorbitant charging of air fare in Delhi Bengaluru route during Chennai Floods.
SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL(ALAPPUZHA) : Hon. Speaker Madam, I would like to raise the issue of unfortunate exploitation on part of different airlines on Chennai flights. Due to severe flood situation in Chennai, the Chennai airport is not functioning and many people are depending on nearby airport at Bengaluru. It is shameful to note that instead of helping those who are suffering from this horrible natural disaster, many of the airlines including Air India are imposing exorbitant charges on the passengers. The private air carriers have raised their air fare manifold. A round trip ticket between Delhi and Bengaluru, which is the closest airport to Chennai and is now attracting a heavy influx of air traffic, ranges anywhere between Rs 58,000 to Rs 75,000. As the Chennai airport has been shut down due to floods since 30th November, passengers are opting to flying to Bengaluru. A round trip flight ticket between Delhi to Bengaluru on GoAir ranges between Rs 34,000 to Rs 42,000. In the Jet Airways, the same flight costs anywhere between Rs 46,000 to Rs 75,000. Spicejet flight to the same route costs between Rs 45,000 to Rs 56,000.
It must also be added that early in the last month, the Delhi Government levied a five per cent hike in VAT on jet fuel. After hike which became effective on 17th November, one kilolitre of jet fuel now costs Rs 44,846 per kilometre with a hike of Rs 1795. This is a sector where the hike is above 300 per cent. The airlines must not overcharge the passengers during an emergency. We can understand the hikes during festivals but during a natural calamity, this is rampant cheating. Therefore, I would request the Government to intervene in this matter immediately and take necessary action against the airlines.
HON. SPEAKER: Shri Bhairon Prasad Mishra, Shri P.K. Biju, Shri Jose K. Mani, Shri M.K. Raghavan, Adv. Joice George, Shri P. Karunakaran and Shri Prem Das Rai are permitted to associate with the issue raised by Shri K.C. Venugopal.