Maha Kumbh Air Fare: Pralhad Joshi writes letter to DGCA on increase in air fares of Prayagraj

New Delhi| Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has written to aviation regulator DGCA, directing it to reduce the skyrocketing airfares for Prayagraj, which hosts the Mahakumbh fair, by February 26. The minister has expressed concern over the high air fares, making it difficult for devotees to participate in the event. “Hawaii fares being prohibitively expensive make it difficult for people to plan a trip to attend the Mahakumbh”, Joshi said in a post on social media

Booking of flights to Prayagraj as well as airfares have increased manifold as more people travel to Mahakumbh, according to travel portal Ixigo earlier this month, with air ticket prices for Delhi-Prayagraj flights rising by 21 per cent. The Civil Aviation Ministry on Monday said steps are being taken to rationalize air fares. DGCA officials held a meeting with airline representatives last week, urging them to add more flights and rationalize ticket prices. There are currently 132 flights operating to Prayagraj with around 80,000 monthly seats. It is currently directly connected to 17 cities compared to eight cities in the previous month. Under current norms, air fares are not controlled by the government.