Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram came on Twitter on Sunday to express his discontent with the rapidly ballooning airfares. He took a dig at the government, explaining the basic economic rules and what prevails in India. He said, “In free markets, when demand increases, supply will increase, but in India’s free market when demand increases, prices will increase.”
The Congress has been actively raising the matter in front of the government, demanding actionable steps to mitigate rising airfares.
In a tweet, Chidambaram said, “Delhi-Chennai Business Class air tickets on Vistara and Air India have been set at a ‘reasonable’ price of Rs 6300 and Rs 5700 respectively. Oops, sorry, they are set at a ‘very reasonable’ Rs 63,000 and Rs 57,000 respectively.” “In free markets, when demand increases, supply will increase. In India’s free market, when demand increases, prices will increase,” he said.
Delhi-Chennai Business Class air tickets on Vistara and Air India have been set at a ‘reasonable’ price of Rs 6300 and Rs 5700 respectively
Oops, sorry, they are set at a ‘very reasonable’ Rs 63,000 and Rs 57,000 respectively
In free markets, when demand increases, supply will…
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 18, 2023
He stressed Airlines expand their routes, curtail flights on old routes and upraise fares.
With such a practice, he said, India will be the Vishwaguru to the world on monopolistic capitalism.
In another tweet, in response to those besieging him for being elitist even in his tweets, Chidambaram quoted the Economy class fare prices as well. He said, “I have the prices for Economy class too. On the SAME day and on the SAME route, the prices are 28,000 (AI) and 12,000 (VISTARA).”
I have the prices for Economy class too
On the SAME day and on the SAME route, the prices are 28,000 (AI) and 12,000 (VISTARA)
As usual, the bhakts have missed the central issue
The issue is not who travels in what class. The issue is, why are fares rising practically every…
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) June 18, 2023
“As usual, the bhakts have missed the central issue. The issue is not who travels in what class. The issue is, why are fares rising practically every week? And why is AI charging Rs 28,000 and Vistara charging 12,000 on the same day and on the same route?” This is what a monopoly or a duopoly does, he said.
“In a free market, there must be competition. The more intense the competition, the better it will be,” Chidambaram said.
Over the past few weeks, the airfares on some routes are skyrocketing on the foot of a capacity crunch and suspension of operations by beleaguered Go First.
Concerns have been raised in this regard, and on June 6, the Civil Aviation Ministry requested airlines create a framework to ensure fair pricing for plane tickets.