Air India says no hike in fares despite Jet strike

Air India said today it has not hiked its fares or overcharged passengers in the wake of the agitation by Jet Airways' pilots.

"Air India would live up to passengers' expectations as a dependable carrier. We have not overcharged our passengers due to the Jet strike," an Air India spokesperson said.

The airline is maintaining fares at normal level and there is no overcharging, the spokesperson said.

As some airlines had jacked up their fares to cash in on the market opportunity following the Jet Airways pilots strike, Civil Aviation Secretary M Madhavan Nambiar last night met representatives of all carriers and asked them to retain their fares at last week's level.

The Ministry also directed the airlines to deploy more flights on the routes served by Jet to help the stranded passengers of the private carrier.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also issued showcause notices to some airlines to explain the increase in fares. It has asked them to charge fares at last week's level (prior to the Jet Airways' pilots strike).