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PAC questions airlines over sudden airfare surge, seeks clarity on air safety following AI-171 crash

6 days ago 1

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The Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday held a crucial meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and representatives from major airlines, expressing strong concern over the steep rise in airfares from Srinagar after the Pahalgam terror attack, as well as the recent Air India Flight AI-171 crash.

Lawmakers voiced outrage over the alleged opportunistic fare hikes by airlines immediately after the April 22 terror incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, when tourists were reportedly forced to pay exorbitant prices to return home. The MPs argued that such fare surges violate existing standards and demanded strict regulation.

According to official sources, several Opposition MPs demanded a special audit of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), citing growing concerns about the overall safety and preparedness of the aviation sector.

The meeting was attended by top officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), BCAS, AAI Cargo Logistics, as well as representatives from key airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet.

AI-171 crash under scanner

Lawmakers also focused on the June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which killed 241 passengers and crew after the aircraft hit a building in Ahmedabad. Notably, former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was among the deceased.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has submitted its preliminary report to the Civil Aviation Ministry. According to officials, black box data was successfully downloaded in Delhi—marking the first time India has decoded such data domestically—with support from Indian Air Force, HAL, and U.S.-based NTSB experts.

An MP raised questions about the typical duration of black box investigations and whether foreign experts are actively involved.

Political leaders speak out

PAC Chairman and Congress MP KC Venugopal confirmed that airlines were asked to define clear fare regulations. "We are concerned about both safety and affordability. The sudden surge in fares post-Pahalgam and during the Kumbh was unacceptable. We’ve directed airlines and DGCA to provide transparency on pricing," he said.

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal highlighted that air safety dominated the discussions, along with long-term plans like strengthening air links to the Buddhist Circuit. "The Dreamliner was considered one of the safest planes. We want to ensure the cause of the crash is thoroughly probed," he added.

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Praful Patel stressed the need for skilled manpower in aviation safety bodies. “DGCA is competent but under-resourced. Retired professionals could be temporarily reinstated to address staffing shortages,” he said.

Government steps in on fare hike

In the wake of public uproar over fare increases from Srinagar, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu had earlier issued directives to airlines to curb fare surges. "Fares are being monitored and kept at reasonable levels. Strict instructions were issued to airlines," the Minister said in a post on X.

According to media reports, a person was sucked into the engine of an aircraft taxiing for takeoff at Milan Bergamo Airport. The accident occurred at 10:38 local time. It is currently unclear why the person was on the taxiway. pic.twitter.com/B5WPt2s025

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) July 8, 2025

Reports after the Pahalgam attack indicated that many flights out of Srinagar were either sold out or displayed sky-high rates, raising questions about pricing ethics during emergencies.

As investigations into the AI-171 tragedy continue and pressure builds for more transparency in fare regulation, Tuesday’s PAC meeting underscores rising concern over passenger safety and affordability in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector.

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