New Delhi: The government of India has once again raised the airfare on the domestic routes from 13 per cent to 16 per cent, which will come into effect from June 1. 


The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has issued a notification in this regard and decided to raise the lower limit on domestic airfares while The upper limits have remained unchanged. 


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The move comes in view of the second wave of Covid-19 in India, which has reduced air travel. The air carriers in the country are facing massive losses resulting in significant burden on the firms operating passenger flights.


The DGCA in the issued order stated that the airfare for domestic travel less than 40 minutes of duration will be hiked by 13 per cent of the current fare, from Rs 2,300 to Rs 2,600 while the upper limits is Rs 7,800. For flights with 40-60 minute duration, the airfare will have lower and upper limits of Rs 3,300 and Rs 9,800. 


In the similar manner, for domestic flights of duration between 60-90 minutes, charges are Rs 4,000 and Rs 11,700, for 90-120 minutes Rs 4,700 and Rs 13,000, for 120-150 minutes Rs 6,100 and Rs 16,900, for 150-180 minutes Rs 7,400 and Rs 20,400 and for 180-210 minutes Rs 8,700 and Rs 24,200.


The ministry clarified that due to sudden surge in the number of active COVID-19 cases across the country, decrease in passenger traffic and passenger load factor, the existing capacity cap of 80 per cent capacity may be read as 50 per cent capacity.


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This is the third time in the year that the Centre has revised the limit on the minimum and maximum price band. Earlier in February, the govt has announced to increase the limit on the minimum and maximum price band by 10% and 30% respectively. It again announced another hike of 5 per cent in March.