'Need to discuss with airlines on capping airfares'

 The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday said that there is a need to hold discussions with airlines before any decision on fixing upper cap on ticket prices.

DGCA Director General M Sathiyavathy said that the regulator would start making public from this month the highest fare bucket (or class) rates levied by domestic airlines. “If a capping (of airfares) is required, then we will have to have discussions with them (airlines),” she said. Asked whether capping airfare is a practical option, she said, “Let’s see. We need to have discussions.” She said the average rise in airfare has been less than 1.5% or a maximum of 2% in high fare bucket for the month of April. The DGCA is expected to release on Friday the air traffic data for April along with high fare bucket details.