· Airlines set fares based on various competitive factors, government has no role to play in regular circumstances
· Government can only oversee pricing during exceptional situations
· DGCA provides guidelines for facilitating travel by senior citizens, persons with disabillity, and persons with mobility issues
Travelling after retirement is a dream for many senior citizens. For the average Indian retiree, it would mean one trip in a year to some domestic or international destination as anything in excess of that would likely put a strain on their finances.
For retirees living on a pension or a fixed income, travelling has now become increasingly unaffordable. While they have time on their side along with the desire to travel, the high fares often pose a hindrance. Recently, Sudha Murty, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, also raised a question in Parliament as to whether the government is considering taking measures to make air travel more affordable and accessible for the elderly, particularly for those living on fixed incomes or pensions.
Murlidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Civil Aviation said in a written reply to Murthy’s question that the government does not regulate the commercial fares set by airlines.
“The fares on any route are dependent, inter-alia, on seasonality, holidays and festivals, competition, and other similar factors. Airline pricing runs in multiple levels {buckets or RBDs} which are in line with the practice being followed globally and due to dynamic fare pricing, the tickets bought in advance are much cheaper than those purchased near the travel date,” he said.
He added: “Under the provisions of Rule 135(1) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, airlines are free to fix tariffs, having regard to all relevant factors, including cost of operation, characteristics of services, generally prevailing tariff etc.” He said that the government has no role to play in offering discounts in air fares for senior citizens or other travellers.
On the question of accessibility, Mohol said: “In order to safeguard the interests of senior citizen passengers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued CAR Section 3, Series M, Part I regarding “Carriage by Air of Persons with Disability and/or Persons with Reduced Mobility” and Air Transport Circular 2 of 2019 titled “Facilities / Courtesies to esteemed travelling public at airports” which lays down the general requirements for airlines and airports to ensure adequate facilitation of the passengers, particularly senior citizens, passengers with disability etc.”
CAR refers to the Civil Aviation Requirements, issued by the DGCA. These include guidelines and regulations to ensure safe and efficient aviation operations. The CAR rules for persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility were issued in February 2014 and further revised in July 2015. The Air Transport circular is issued from time to time, and also aims to provide instructions and guidance related to the operations and administration of air transport services.
Mohol said there are ‘May I Help You’ counters at the airport to assist senior citizens, persons with disability, or those having mobility issues. Besides, the airport staff (terminal managers) are also sensitised towards assisting the elderly and other people.
Mohol said the government cannot decide the airfare and offer concessions, but in exceptional situations, such as a pandemic, it maintains “a vigilant oversight role”. In exceptional circumstances, the government can impose a cap on fares, but it has no role in determining fares in regular times. Airlines themselves decide about discounts.
