Government urged to take action on high air fares

New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) Rajya Sabha members on Wednesday expressed concern over high air fares and urged the government to take action.

Raising the issue during zero hour, Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said airlines are charging exorbitantly high fares despite the price of air fuel coming down.

"Air traffic fuel prices have come down, which is 33 percent of operational cost. This benefit is not being transferred to consumer. There should be some mechanism to control air fares," Shukla said.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien joined him and said the government should take action.

"This is a very important issue, Mr. Minister. What is happening is extortion by airlines, specially during festival season they charge poor passengers exorbitantly high. Government should take some action, this is feeling of entire house," Kurien said.

Responding to this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said he will convey the concern of the members to the civil aviation minister.