Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu told reporters on Tuesday that the government will not impose an airfare cap during the upcoming festive season, but will urge airlines to keep prices reasonable.
The remark came as officials signed agreements for the next phase of the Udaan regional connectivity scheme, a move that signals continued push‑through of domestic air routes.
Naidu explained that the ministry has long managed fare spikes by engaging carriers directly, holding regular meetings and highlighting consumer concerns during peak travel periods. “We have a track record of steering airlines to moderate prices when the public needs to move,” he said.
The minister also warned that the West Asia crisis has pushed aviation turbine fuel prices up, and that fuel now accounts for 40–43% of airfares. Even a modest rise in fuel costs translates into higher ticket prices, he added.
To enforce the guidance, the ministry will convene monthly review sessions with carriers and will monitor fare changes closely, with a formal assessment scheduled for the end of May. The next step will be a public release of the monitoring results and any corrective measures required.