Civil Aviation Minister Scindia recently announced a new policy regarding air fares, which would allow airlines to charge fares up to 40% higher than the current cap during busy periods. This move was criticized by Congress leader Venugopal, who argued that it would lead to “extortionate pricing” and harm consumers. The verbal sparring between Scindia and Venugopal centered on the following issues:

• The impact of the new policy on consumers, particularly those who travel frequently for business or medical reasons.
• The role of the government in regulating air fares and preventing price gouging by airlines.
• The balance between promoting competition and encouraging healthy profitability for airlines.
• The need to strike a balance between the interests of airlines and consumers.

Overall, the debate over air fares highlights the challenges of balancing the interests of various stakeholders in the airline industry, including airlines, consumers, and regulators.