A parliamentary panel has proposed the development of a mobile application, modeled after the Election Commission’s cVIGIL app, to enable citizens to report instances of arbitrary airfare pricing and enhance transparency in the aviation sector.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture, in its report released on Tuesday, emphasized the need for improved consumer rights awareness and regulatory mechanisms to prevent exploitative airfare practices.
The Committee recommended the creation of ‘Airfare Vigil,’ a digital platform that would allow users to submit complaints regarding unjustified airfare hikes. Flyers could upload evidence such as screenshots of ticket prices along with contextual details. The app would feature real-time geo-tagging, automated complaint tracking, and time-bound resolution mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability. Upon submission, complainants would receive a unique ID to track the status of their grievances.
To prevent misuse, the app would include safeguards such as filtering duplicate or frivolous complaints. However, it would also allow anonymous submissions, encouraging broader public participation.
The report also proposed integrating ‘Airfare Vigil’ with an AI-powered system called ‘AirPrice Guardian,’ which would leverage predictive analytics and machine learning to monitor airfare trends. By combining citizen reports with AI-driven insights, the system aims to identify and address exploitative pricing patterns proactively.
“The initiative will foster participatory governance by involving citizens in airfare regulation while strengthening the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s ability to handle consumer grievances swiftly and effectively,” the report stated.
While reviewing the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Demand for Grants for 2025-26, the Committee stressed the need for stringent airfare pricing regulations under an AI-driven predictive monitoring framework. The proposed ‘AirPrice Guardian’ system would analyze historical data, demand fluctuations, fuel costs, seasonal factors, and external events like festivals or emergencies to forecast airfare trends.
By establishing dynamic fare bands for different routes—updated quarterly based on predictive models—the system would allow regulators to detect and curb excessive pricing in real-time.
“The Committee recommends that the DGCA be granted quasi-judicial authority to impose temporary price caps or penalties on airlines engaging in exploitative pricing,” the report emphasized.
The push for stricter regulations comes amid growing consumer dissatisfaction with airline policies. Recently, Indian-Canadian actor Lisa Ray criticized Air India on social media for denying her a medical waiver after she had to cancel a ticket due to health reasons. In another incident, a family alleged that an 82-year-old grandmother was injured at Delhi Airport when Air India failed to provide a pre-booked wheelchair, forcing her to walk until she collapsed.
(Inputs from ANI)
