Overpriced Food and Beverages at Airports: Raghav Chadha Highlights High Airfare, Service Issues in Rajya Sabha
Overpriced Food and Beverages at Airports: Raghav Chadha Highlights High Airfare, Service Issues in Rajya Sabha
AAP MP calls for passenger compensation, better airport facilities, and equitable ticket pricing.
Raghav Chadha, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP, raised several pressing issues faced by air travelers during a discussion on the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak-2024. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Chadha highlighted exorbitant airfares, predatory pricing, duopoly in the aviation sector, and the inadequate implementation of the UDAN scheme aimed at promoting affordable regional connectivity.
My speech in Parliament on issues plaguing our Aviation sector.
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) December 4, 2024
From the moment a passenger enters an airport to the moment they leave it after their journey, India's aviation experience is anything but a smooth landing.
Sky-high ticket prices, endless delays, unaffordable… pic.twitter.com/B4OSoFBKB7
Chadha pointed to overcrowding at airports, leading to long queues and poor services, often resulting in passengers missing flights. He criticized airports for offering overpriced food and beverages while failing to deliver basic conveniences. Comparing airfares to Lakshadweep with those to the Maldives, he called for equitable pricing to promote domestic tourism.
Addressing flight delays, Chadha suggested airlines compensate passengers for every hour of delay. He argued that while airlines impose hefty fines for minor excess baggage, they face no penalties for delays that often extend up to four hours, particularly for smaller cities. Chadha proposed the introduction of a monthly chart detailing delays across routes and airlines.
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill, which seeks to replace the Aircraft Act, 1934, was presented for discussion. It aims to streamline the design, manufacture, and maintenance of aircraft and empower the government to regulate licenses and certifications. Chadha, however, urged the government to address real-world challenges faced by passengers while ensuring that air travel does not become a luxury exclusive to the elite.
With air travel becoming an essential mode of transport, Chadha’s plea highlighted the urgent need for reform in India’s aviation sector to make it more accessible, efficient, and passenger-friendly.
