In a significant move to alleviate travel disruptions across India, the Air India Group has announced a substantial increase in its flight capacity. This decision comes closely on the heels of a similar announcement by SpiceJet, as both carriers step in to assist passengers affected by widespread cancellations by IndiGo.
Airlines Rally to Support Stranded Passengers
The Tata Group-owned airline group, comprising Air India and Air India Express, stated on Saturday that it is seeking to add capacity to help travellers and their baggage reach their destinations promptly. This intervention is expected to provide much-needed relief by offering alternative travel options to those left stranded.
This development follows SpiceJet's announcement on Friday regarding the deployment of 100 additional flights. The budget carrier's expanded services cover a wide network of destinations including Delhi, Mumbai, Leh, Kolkata, Dharamshala, Pune, Dubai, Ahmedabad, Srinagar, Hyderabad, Gorakhpur, Goa, Bagdogra, Udaipur, Varanasi, Phuket, Jammu, and Bengaluru.
Air India Caps Fares to Prevent Price Gouging
In a crucial consumer-friendly measure, Air India Group has proactively capped economy class airfares on its non-stop domestic flights. This policy has been in effect since December 4 and is designed to prevent the usual demand-and-supply pricing mechanism from triggering exorbitant last-minute fares through automated revenue management systems.
The airline clarified its position in a detailed statement, noting, "Air India and Air India Express are seeking to add capacity to help travellers and their baggage reach their destinations as quickly as possible." It further addressed concerns about complex itineraries, stating, "We are aware of screenshots of last-minute itineraries with one-stop or two-stop flights or a combination of economy and premium economy or business cabins taken from third party platforms. It is not technically possible to cap all such permutations, but we are engaging such platforms to exercise oversight."
Industry Response to Operational Challenges
The coordinated response from competing airlines highlights the interconnected nature of the aviation industry and its focus on passenger welfare during operational crises. While IndiGo has been grappling with cancellations due to various operational reasons, the swift action by SpiceJet and the Air India Group demonstrates a collective effort to stabilize the domestic travel ecosystem.
The move by the Tata Group airlines is particularly notable, as it combines increased capacity with fare controls, aiming to address both availability and affordability for distressed passengers. This situation underscores the critical role of alternative carriers in maintaining network resilience and ensuring that essential air connectivity across India is not severely compromised.
As the peak travel season approaches, these capacity enhancements and fare caps are likely to be closely watched by regulators and consumers alike, setting a precedent for industry collaboration during periods of significant disruption.
