Reiterating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘hawai chappal se hawai jahaz tak‘, the newly appointed Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Thursday vowed to review the surging prices of air fares so that it becomes ‘affordable’ for the common man.
Naidu said to make it a reality, the ticket prices have to be affordable and that benefits of the aviation sector should reach every corner of the country, with focus on Tier two and Tier three cities.
"I am going to hold review meetings. Definitely, my intention would be to bring down the (ticket) prices because that is a challenge for the common man. Our intention is to take air travel to the common man, unless you make it affordable, it is not going to happen," Naidu, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP said soon after he assumed the charge of Civil Aviation Minister.
The 36-year-old three-time MP is the youngest Cabinet Minister in the Modi 3.0 Government.
Increase in airfares is an important issue and it has been a talking point. Dynamic pricing and fluctuating airfare prices have been an issue with travellers across India.
Over the past few months, ticket prices have seen sharp increases, impacting the ease of flying for both domestic and international routes.
Besides, due to Go First's insolvency, flight suspension, high demand during the busiest travel season, and capacity issues, travellers now have to pay more for their tickets.
Additionally, Indian airlines do not have enough aircraft to launch new routes right now.
Naidu said the key priorities of the Ministry would be to create an 'ease of flying' scenario, making air travel more accessible and convenient for every citizen. In February, a parliamentary panel proposed that the Government should frame guidelines to control sudden surges in airfares, adding that a route-specific fare ceiling can be examined, keeping in mind the interests of both the airlines and the customer.
Moreover, the country's aviation sector has been grappling with global supply chain disruptions, which have delayed plane deliveries and pushed fares higher. Domestic air traffic has grown by 23 per cent in 2023, reaching a record 153 million passengers, with analysts forecasting this number to climb to 300 million by 2030.
Naidu expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for entrusting him with the crucial responsibility of leading the Ministry of Civil Aviation. He emphasised that the choice of a young and energetic leader signifies a forward-looking approach, focused on shaping the future of the aviation industry for the next 25 years. Naidu acknowledged the support of the people of Srikakulam and Andhra Pradesh, thanked Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and recalled the role of his father, Late Kinjarapu Yerran Naidu, a distinguished politician from Andhra Pradesh.
In line with Prime Minister Modi's vision for Viksit Bharat, he said “we are going to formulate and implement a 100-day action plan to drive immediate progress in India's aviation sector. This plan will serve as a stepping stone towards achieving the long-term Vision of Viksit Bharat as India celebrates 100 years of its independence in 2047”. The Union Minister also emphasised on the importance of use of technology in enhancing passenger experience, and plans to leverage artificial intelligence and social media to address passenger concerns effectively. He assured that the ministry would prioritise passenger comfort and convenience in all policy decisions.
Regarding the completion of the Greenfield airport in Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, the Minister expressed his personal commitment to expedite the project.
