MPs object to extra charges for window seats on flights

New Delhi, July 18: Rajya Sabha MPs on Wednesday demanded to know why airlines were charging extra for preferential seats on flights, and sought a ceiling on the steep hikes in fares just before the departure. Congress MP Chhaya Verma said she had taken an Indigo flight on June 29 from Delhi to Raipur, but despite having a business class ticket, she was not given a front row seat which was vacant, and that the staff demanded an extra Rs 600 for a preferential seat. Terming it as a “serious issue”, Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation to look into the matter. DMK’s Tiruchi Siva sought a ceiling on the air fare hikes by airlines just before flight departure. “At the time of departure, the fares are increased by 400 per cent. You can allow them to increase fares as per the demand, but not abnormally. There should be a ceiling. People who are in a hurry and distress face a lot of problems,” Siva said. Responding to the concerns, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha pointed out that the fares had been deregulated and the government could intervene only if there was a violation of transparency. (IANS)