Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, envisions transforming air travel into the new norm for the common man, aiming to tackle the fluctuating airfares.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is poised to implement strategies to make air travel more accessible and affordable, aligning with the UDAAN scheme and addressing market growth challenges exacerbated by external factors such as the Covid pandemic.
Expressing his ambition, Minister Naidu articulated his vision to elevate airways to the status of railways, emphasising the need to prioritise affordability in air travel. While concrete steps to stabilise airfares are pending deliberation, the overarching goal remains clear—to facilitate economical air transport for every Indian. "My target is to make India the largest civil aviation market globally, and for that, prices must be within reach. We are convening a policy meeting to chart the necessary course of action," he affirmed.
Reflecting on the trajectory of aviation development over the past decade, Minister Naidu acknowledged the introduction of the UDAAN scheme as a pivotal government initiative.
However, he underscored the disruptive influence of external factors like the Covid pandemic, necessitating a comprehensive reevaluation of airfare dynamics. "The department must engage in deliberations. When that happens, my foremost priority will be to drive down airfares," he asserted.
Despite the soaring air traffic and the expansion of airline networks to encompass new destinations, concerns persist regarding escalating airfares, particularly during peak seasons. With air ticket pricing largely deregulated, fares fluctuate in response to supply and demand dynamics.
India stands as one of the world's fastest-growing civil aviation markets, witnessing an average daily domestic air traffic volume of 4.3-4.5 lakh passengers. In 2023 alone, domestic airlines facilitated travel for over 15.20 crore passengers, indicative of the sector's robust growth trajectory.
In February of this year, a Parliamentary panel proposed route-specific airfare capping and advocated for the establishment of a dedicated entity to regulate air ticket prices, amidst mounting concerns over surging fares.
Turning attention to civil aviation infrastructure, Minister Naidu underscored the government's unwavering commitment to enhancing the sector's foundational framework.
"We aspire for India to lead in civil aviation infrastructure," he affirmed, highlighting the strategic imperative of bolstering the nation's aviation ecosystem to facilitate seamless connectivity and accessibility.
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