Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday told the Lok Sabha that capping airfares year-round is neither practical nor in the long-term interests of the civil aviation sector, emphasising that a deregulated market ultimately keeps fares competitive and benefits passengers.

Naidu said airfares naturally rise during festive seasons due to route-specific demand spikes, and such fluctuations “cannot be capped for an entire year.” He added that deregulation, introduced to open up the market and encourage more players has been key to aviation growth in countries worldwide. “When demand and supply operate freely, the biggest beneficiary is the passenger,” he said.

Responding to a private member’s bill seeking fare regulation against the backdrop of the IndiGo crisis, Naidu reiterated that kee

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