Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, has set an ambitious vision for India’s air travel sector, aiming to make airways as accessible and affordable as railways. In a recent statement addressing the fluctuations in airfares, Naidu emphasized the government’s commitment to making air travel affordable for the common man and turning India into the world’s largest civil aviation market.
“To achieve this target, it is imperative that we bring down the prices,” Naidu stated. “We are planning to hold a policy meeting to determine the necessary steps.”
Reflecting on the significant transformations over the past decade, Naidu highlighted the government’s efforts, such as the introduction of the UDAAN scheme, designed to enhance regional connectivity and make flying accessible to a broader segment of the population. However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by external factors, notably the COVID-19 pandemic, which have influenced the industry’s trajectory.
“While air traffic continues to rise and airlines expand their operations by connecting new destinations, there are also concerns in certain quarters about airfares being higher, especially during peak seasons,” Naidu noted. He pointed out that India’s air ticket prices are deregulated and primarily driven by supply and demand dynamics.
Currently, India stands as one of the world’s fastest-growing civil aviation markets. On average, the country sees around 430,000 to 450,000 domestic air travelers daily, with over 152 million passengers flown by domestic airlines in 2023 alone.
Earlier this year, a Parliamentary panel proposed implementing route-specific caps on airfares and suggested the establishment of a separate entity to oversee and regulate air ticket prices. The proposal came amid growing concerns about the effectiveness of self-regulation in controlling airfare surges, especially during peak travel periods.
In terms of infrastructure, Naidu reiterated the government’s commitment to making India a leader in civil aviation infrastructure. “We want India to be at the forefront in terms of civil aviation infrastructure,” he asserted.
