Fines up to Rs 1.5 million proposed for overcharging airfares during festivals under new aviation bill

Airlines that charge more than approved fares during festivals, disasters or emergencies could face fines of Rs 500,000 to Rs 1.5 million, under a proposal now before Parliament.

The provision is in the Civil Aviation Authority-related Laws (Amendment and Consolidation) Bill, 2083, tabled in the federal Parliament. Clause (da) of Section 47 of the bill makes it an offence to fly while charging more than the fare set by the authority. If the offence is proven, the airline operator or the person concerned will be fined under Section 48.

A company or person caught once and repeating the same violation would have to pay double the previous fine, the bill proposes. The same bill also sets a fine of up to Rs 2.5 million for operating aircraft without insurance. Technical inspectors would be empowered to halt aircraft operations and suspend flights if they identify serious safety risks.

Another bill, related to the Air Services Authority, bans the unregulated operation of slaughterhouses and the dumping of waste within the airport and three kilometres around it. The provision aims to reduce the risk of birds colliding with aircraft engines.

The bill also proposes turning the authority, which currently both regulates and provides services, into a purely regulatory body. The International Civil Aviation Organization and the European Union have long recommended separating these roles.