Aviation Ministry hikes domestic airfare; flights within India get expensive

People across the country have been eager to resume travelling and the demand for air travel has increased keeping the upcoming holidays in mind. The recently announced decision by the Ministry of Civil Aviation has added additional expenses to those plans as people wishing to travel by air will now have to pay more for their journey. 

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, on Thursday, August 12, 2021, announced a hike in the caps placed earlier on the air fare, and as per the recent reviewed, the cost has increased by 9 to 12 per cent depending on the airlines. 

Domestic flights in India resumed their services several months after the lockdown was implemented. In 2020, the government had announced a cap on the fare with an aim to increase the traffic and the same was not withdrawn later. However, several revisions were  made earlier in 2021 and this recent decision has been taken keeping the increasing demand in mind as the lockdown restrictions have been relaxed across India. Reports state that this is the fourth revision planned by the ministry. 

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Officials have noted that there could be hike of approximately 9 per cent for short-distance travel and 12 per cent for long-distance fights. The order was issued late in the night on Thursday and is said to benefit both travellers and the sector.

Below-mentioned is the revised minimum and maximum cost for selected duration

Officials have also confirmed that the above-mentioned revised fare do not include additional costs for passenger safety, airport user development and GST. Considering this, the overall cost for a passenger could increase further.

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Meanwhile, the Ministry took to Twitter to share information about the increasing demand and services in India. The message said, "Domestic aviation operations soaring with all Covid Protocols in place. On 12th August 2021

• 1,97,804 passengers on 1,770 flights. 
• Total flight movements: 3,536 
• Total passengers : 3,95,653"

Domestic aviation operations soaring with all Covid Protocols in place.

On 12th August 2021

1,97,804 passengers on 1,770 flights.
Total flight movements: 3,536
 Total passengers : 3,95,653 pic.twitter.com/2orGqiqHzA

— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) August 13, 2021

Meanwhile, another tweet regarding the Vande Bharat mission said, "Vande Bharat Mission! Helping Indians Abroad ! Air India Group Till 11th August, 2021

• Inbound Flights : 15,317 
• Inbound Passengers : 2,313,132 
• Outbound flights : 15,319 
• Outbound pax : 1,589,852 
• Flights till date : 30,636 
• Passengers till date : 3,902,984"

Vande Bharat Mission!

Helping Indians Abroad !
Air India Group
Till 11th August, 2021

Inbound Flights : 15,317
Inbound Passengers : 2,313,132
Outbound flights : 15,319
Outbound pax : 1,589,852
Flights till date : 30,636
Passengers till date : 3,902,984 pic.twitter.com/IFYN06JyTr

— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) August 12, 2021