Domestic air fares in India lower than in major aviation markets: IATA

Average domestic air fares in India, according to a study based on International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, are lower than in some major world aviation markets, including US and Britain.

The finding comes against the backdrop of aviation regulator DGCA asking Indian carriers to make ticket prices more rational and reasonable after the recent outcry over a major fare hike on various domestic sectors.

A comparison of average domestic fares in some countries for air travel above 2,000 km showed that fares in China were higher than in India by 87 per cent while Australian fares exceeded by 182 per cent. In Canada air fares were higher by 162 per cent while in the US by 119 per cent.

The analysis considered PAX-IS data as the basis. The data was compiled by the (IATA) from the tickets sold by all IATA carriers.

Taking one US dollar equivalent to Rs55, the average Indian domestic fares for travel up to 750 km worked out to $60, between 750 and 1,000 km to $81 (Rs4,455), between 1,000 and 1,400 km to $108 (Rs5,940), between 1,400 and 2,000 km to $120 (Rs6,600) and over 2000 km to $130 (Rs 7,150).

As against this, the air fares in Australia were $186 for a distance band of up to 750 km, $195 for 750-1,000 km, $248 for 1,000-1,400 km, $290 for 1,400-2,000 km and $367 for over 2,000 km of air travel, the figures showed.