Mulling capping repatriation airfares from West Asia: Union minister of state of civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol

PUNE: Union minister of state of civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol on Wednesday said the department is considering capping exorbitant fares of flights meant for repatriation from West Asian countries, reports Joy Sengupta.

Speaking on the sidelines of a corporate social responsibility event organised by Airports Authority of India, he said, "We are collecting information on the matter and a special section within the ministry is working on it. Whatever is happening is wrong and will be rectified." The minister did not share a timeline, but said the same approach would be taken regarding Air India's announcement of a fuel surcharge of Rs 399 on domestic flights.

Citizens desperate to return to India have raised concerns over flight fares. On an airline's website, fare from Jeddah to Mumbai was Rs 1 lakh.

AAI chairman Vipin Kumar said the authority would develop navigational systems in the country.