Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Centre Rules Out Festive Airfare Cap, Seeks Reasonable Prices
The government will not set a maximum price for airplane tickets during the festive season.
Instead, it will ask airlines to keep prices reasonable.
Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said fuel has become more expensive.
He linked some of the fuel-price increase to the crisis in West Asia.
Fuel makes up about 40 to 43 percent of an airfare.
Because of this, even a small fuel-price increase can make tickets cost more.
The government has discussed fares with airlines during festivals and important events before.
The minister made the comments after agreements were signed for the next phase of the UDAN scheme.
The Union government will not cap airfares during the upcoming festive season.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said airlines will be advised to keep fares reasonable.
Naidu linked ticket-price pressure to higher aviation turbine fuel costs amid the West Asia crisis.
He said aviation turbine fuel accounts for around 40 to 43 per cent of airfares.
The remarks followed agreements for the next phase of the UDAN regional connectivity programme.
- Who
- The Union government, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, and airlines.
- What
- The government ruled out an airfare cap for the festive season but will ask airlines to keep prices reasonable.
- When
- Tuesday; the guidance applies to the upcoming festive season.
- Where
- The remarks were made while Naidu spoke to reporters alongside the signing of agreements for the next phase of UDAN.
- Why
- Higher aviation turbine fuel costs have increased airlines’ operating expenses; Naidu linked the pressure partly to the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
- Airfare cap
- No cap is planned for the upcoming festive season.
- Government guidance
- Airlines will be advised to keep ticket prices at a reasonable level.
- Minister
- K Rammohan Naidu, Civil Aviation Minister.
- Fuel share
- Aviation turbine fuel accounts for around 40 to 43 per cent of airfares, according to Naidu.
- Cost pressure
- The ongoing West Asia crisis has pushed up aviation turbine fuel costs, the minister said.
- UDAN
- The remarks followed the signing of agreements for the next phase of the regional connectivity programme.
- Price-stabilisation fund
- The Union Cabinet approved a Rs 10,000-crore fund in June to help keep aviation turbine fuel prices for scheduled Indian airlines stable for three years.
