DGCA demands airfare details after Rs 4 lakhs charged for Delhi-UK economy ticket

Following a complaint that the British Airway's Delhi-London flight was priced at Rs 3.95 lakh for economy class on August 26, Aviation regulator DGCA on Sunday asked airlines to submit details of the airfare they have been charging for India-UK flights during August. The complaint was raised by Sanjeev Gupta, Secretary, Inter-State Council Secretariat, Union Home Ministry, on Twitter.

While the Delhi-London flight of Vistara has priced at Rs 1.2 lakh, that of Air India was priced at Rs 2.3 lakh on the same date in August. August is the time for college admission in the UK. Gupta added that he had alerted Union Civil Aviation Secretary PS Kharola about the matter.

Since May 25, 2020, both a low and upper limit has been imposed on domestic flights. However, such limits haven't been imposed on international flights.

Vistara reasoned the price as a result of 'demand'. "Pricing is always a function of supply and demand. There are only 15 flights a week allowed currently on India - UK route for Indian carriers, and when there is relaxation and more capacity allowed, it will automatically bring down prices," the airline said on Sunday.

Though scheduled international passenger flights are suspended since March 23, 2020, given the pandemic, limited special international passenger flights have been operating since July 2020. The flights operate under air bubble arrangements formed with 28 countries. The UK is one among them the 28 countries.