**Executive Summary**
The document addresses an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha regarding high airfares on routes connecting North Eastern States to other major cities in India, to be answered on December 11th, 2025. The response from the Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that airfares are not regulated by the Government but are subject to airlines’ operational needs and market forces. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has held meetings with airlines to moderate fares and improve connectivity.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Airfare Regulation:**
* Airfares are not regulated by the Government.
* Airlines determine fares based on operational needs, adhering to Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
* Airfare pricing is subject to fluctuations based on supply and demand, seat occupancy, fuel costs, aircraft capacity, seasonal changes, and other factors.
* **DGCA Actions:**
* The DGCA met with airlines (Indigo, Air India Express & Alliance Air) on November 6th, 2025, regarding high airfares to/from Imphal.
* Airlines were advised to moderate fares, rationalize tariff sheets, and ensure effective seat utilization.
* Airlines were also advised to consider increasing capacity for smoother passenger movement.
* **Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN):**
* 164 priority routes have been awarded for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter operations in North Eastern States, with 90 routes operationalized.
* 7 Airports and 2 Heliports have been operationalized in the North Eastern Region.
* The modified UDAN Scheme aims to increase regional connectivity to 120 new destinations to cater to 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years.
* The scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and North East region districts and is currently under formulation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Airlines**
* **Impact:** Airlines must manage airfares based on market dynamics while adhering to regulatory guidelines and DGCA's advice on moderating fares. They are also encouraged to increase capacity and improve seat utilization.
* **Action Required:** Airlines should review their pricing strategies, capacity planning, and tariff sheet transparency, taking into account DGCA recommendations. They should also consider participating in the UDAN scheme to expand regional connectivity.
**Passengers**
* **Impact:** Passengers, particularly those traveling to/from North Eastern States, are affected by airfare fluctuations. The UDAN scheme aims to improve affordability and connectivity.
* **Action Required:** Passengers can expect potential changes in airfare pricing strategies and increased connectivity options through the UDAN scheme in the future.
**North Eastern States**
* **Impact:** The North Eastern States are affected by air connectivity and fare affordability. The UDAN scheme seeks to improve both aspects.
* **Action Required:** Support the development of airports and heliports.
Key Entities Referenced
Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN): A scheme to enhance regional air connectivity, particularly in the North Eastern States, by awarding priority routes for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopter operations.
Aircraft Rules, 1937: Referenced rule that airlines adhere to while determining airfares.
North Eastern States: Region in India that is the focus of concerns about high airfares and improved connectivity.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): Regulator that conducted meetings with airlines regarding high airfares to/from Imphal.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1980
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11th December 2025 )
HIGH AIR FARES ON NORTH EASTERN STATES ROUTES
1980. SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA
SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE
SHRI CHAVAN RAVINDRA VASANTRAO
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has received any request or representation from the North
Eastern States regarding unusually high air fares on routes connecting North Eastern States to
other major cities of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the response of the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the Government proposes to regulate or rationalise airfares on these routes to
ensure affordability for passengers and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in
this regard;
(d) whether the Government also proposes to increase flight frequency and improve airline
connectivity to North Eastern States from major cities of the country and if so, the details
thereof;
(e) whether the Government is considering any long-term measures to stabilise airfare
fluctuations in the North-Eastern region; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the proposed road map for the same?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (c): Airfares are not subject to regulation by the Government and airlines have the
flexibility to determine their airfares based on their operational needs, while adhering to Rule
135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. The pricing of airfares is subject to dynamic fluctuations
influenced by the fundamental economic forces of supply and demand. Various determinants
such as current seat occupancy, fuel costs, aircraft capacity, seasonal fluctuations and other
relevant factors significantly impact airline ticket pricing.;
;Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on receiving concern regarding high airfare
to/from Imphal, conducted meeting with the scheduled domestic airlines viz. Indigo, Air
India Express & Alliance Air operating to/from Imphal on 06th Nov, 2025.;
;
During meeting, it was advised to airlines to moderate the airfares keeping passengers'
interest in mind and to rationalize their tariff sheets to be transparent and user-friendly.
Airlines were also advised to ensure effective utilization of all available seats while
maintaining fare affordability.;
;
(d) to (f): During aforementioned meeting, airlines were also advised to consider increasing
capacity in order to ensure uninterrupted travel and smoother passenger movement.;
;
Furthermore, under the Regional Connectivity Scheme - Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-
UDAN), a total of 164 priority routes have been awarded for fixed-wing aircraft and
helicopter operations in the North Eastern States, out of which 90 routes have been
operationalised. Under the scheme, 7 Airports and 2 Heliports have been operationalized in
the North Eastern Region.;
;
To further strengthen and expand regional air connectivity, the Government has announced
the launch of the modified UDAN Scheme to increase regional connectivity to 120 new
destinations across the country, to cater to 4 crore passengers over the next 10 years. The
scheme will also support helipads and smaller airports in hilly, aspirational, and North East
region districts. The scheme is currently at the formulation stage.
******