I am a victim of arbitrary charging by Air India: JD (U)'s KC Tyagi

New Delhi, Dec 11 (PTI) Janata Dal (United) leader KC Tyagi on Thursday alleged complicity between the DGCA and airlines, saying he was forced to shell out an inordinate sum of over Rs 40,000 for a Delhi-Mumbai flight.

In a letter to party colleague Sajay Jha, who is the Chairman of the Parliamentary standing committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, Tyagi said he became a victim of Air India's "arbitrary charging." The allegation came against the backdrop of IndiGo disruptions, which scuttled the air travel of thousands of fliers as hundreds of flights by the airline were grounded.

The Janata Dal(United) leader, in his letter, accused DGCA officials of complicity with the airlines, and shared that he paid Rs 42,151 for an Air India flight from Delhi to Mumbai on December 7.

"IndiGo's current mismanagement has exposed the chaos in the civil aviation sector. The efficiency of the monopoly in this sector has also come under scrutiny. The contempt of the High Court's 2024 directive has become apparent. This is also due to the complicity of DGCA officials, who made no effort to curb the laxity in compliance with regulations," Tyagi said.

The leader termed the passengers' treatment by airlines as "brutal and utterly blatant" and pointed out the aviation ministry's instruction against arbitrary charging of fares, which will be considered a "criminal offense." "I am a victim of Air India's arbitrary and cruel exploitation. I am submitting evidence of Air India's arbitrary charges, disregarding the declared fare schedule. I am sending you proof of this arbitrary charge, which includes a Delhi-Mumbai fare of more than three times the amount charged," he said.

Tyagi added that he has been a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Civil Aviation and is "aware of its capabilities." "It is hoped that the concerned officials will take the trouble of giving clear orders and instructions in this regard... The recovery should be returned so that other consumers also get a relief amount," he said.

On Saturday, the government imposed temporary fare caps for domestic routes, fixing limits between Rs 7,500 and Rs 18,000 depending on the distance travelled to contain the soaring ticket prices amid IndiGo disruptions. PTI AO VN VN