Stick to last week's fares, govt tells airlines

Mumbai: Thanks to the Jet strike, other carriers are charging people much more, now the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has stepped in and ordered airlines not to hike fares and stick to last week's fares.

Limited seats... demand... and a three-day chaos: All thanks to the Jet Airways strike, that has got consumers up in arms.

Fares had gone up not just on budget airlines but also on full-service airlines.

So on a busy route like Delhi-Mumbai:

• The full fare has shot up in these three days by about 2,000 rupees
• Even the cheap seats have gone up by about 1,500 rupees
  

Surging fares - Delhi-Mumbai
Economy seats: Rs 7,500 to Rs 9,500
Cheaper seats:   Rs 4,500 to Rs 6,500
(Non-refundable)
                         Rs 5,500 to Rs. 7,500

"There has been an increase in fares. Given the demand supply situation, the low cost carriers are maintaining their fares," said K Rawat, Regional Director, International Travel House.

These days most people do book in advance. So, we can get 30-40 per cent discount even on a full-service airline like Jet or Kingfisher. But now with this strike, it's not only a no-savings travel, it also uncertain if my booking will stand as last minute customer pouring willing to pay more.