DGCA’s New Fare Cap Wins Support as Shiv Sena Leader Shaina NC Slams Airlines for Overcharging

By A Staff Reporter

Mumbai: Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC has strongly supported the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) newly issued fare guidelines, saying the move will help curb arbitrary pricing and protect passengers from sudden spikes in ticket costs. Her remarks come amid rising public dissatisfaction over exorbitant last-minute fares, especially during emergencies.

Sharing her personal experience, Shaina NC said that during a recent flight from Delhi to Mumbai, the passenger seated next to her had paid an astonishing ₹55,000 for an economy-class ticket. Describing such fares as unacceptable, she emphasised that no airline should be allowed to take advantage of travellers, particularly when they are booking under pressure or for medical reasons.

She noted that the DGCA’s proposed fare cap—ranging from ₹7,500 to ₹18,000 depending on flight distance—was a fair and necessary intervention. “Consumers cannot be taken for a ride,” she asserted, adding that airlines must show empathy and operational responsibility.

Shaina NC further stated that when pricing irregularities occur due to an airline’s internal issues—such as pilot shortages, mismanagement, or technological failures—the carriers must be held accountable. She praised the Civil Aviation Ministry for “rightly stepping in” to correct these systemic problems and restore fairness in the aviation sector.