Probe sought into spike in airfares to Prayagraj

A probe has been sought into the sudden and arbitrary hike in air ticket prices to Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh event. In a complaint to the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) and Civil Aviation Minister, advocate Ajay Jagga, a former member of the District Consumer Protection Council, UT, has alleged that airlines have increased prices exorbitantly, with return tickets from Chandigarh to Prayagraj rising from Rs 24,000 to Rs 55,000.

“This hike is attributed solely to the rising number of passengers attending the Mahakumbh,” he said. The action of airlines is also violation of Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023, he added.

He also highlighted that the airlines use texts such as “rush”, “only two tickets left” warnings, besides “flight going to be full” messages, which create undue pressure on consumers to book tickets at abnormally high prices.

He urged the authorities to examine the matter and take necessary action to ensure that air travel remains affordable and free from arbitrary price hike.