Predatory pricing happening in airfares: Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri

Hardeep Puri said that the Aviation Ministry has no plans of regulating fares

The Aviation Ministry is expected to issue expression of interest for Air India in the coming few weeks. | File

Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri on Tuesday said some predatory pricing is happening in airfares and other airlines can shut down if it continues.

Addressing a press briefing, Puri said while the ministry had no plans of regulating fares, it has to happen within parameters of deregulation.

“We need to bring equilibrium within the market. Can’t say predatory pricing is the only reason of ill health of airlines, it is one of the reasons. After discussion with airlines, the trend of predatory pricing has reduced. Our advice to airlines is to charge realistic fares,” he said.

‘EoI for Air India in coming few weeks’

The Minister also said that his ministry will try to issue expression of interest for Air India in the coming few weeks.

Mr. Puri said that while his ministry is the nodal ministry for aviation, he was not in charge of disinvestment.

“Air India is a first class airline, but there are no two views that privatisation has to be done. We are not slaves of certain deadlines; we are trying to do it (disinvestment) as quickly as possible,” he said.