The ongoing Go First airline crisis has had a severe impact on air passengers across India. As the budget airline struggles with mounting losses, it has suspended all its flights till May 12, 2023, leaving many passengers in the lurch.
Unfortunately, the troubles don’t end there for these passengers, as other airlines have been quick to cash in on the situation by hiking up fares on Go First’s popular routes.
In some cases, airfares have increased up to four to six times the regular fare, causing severe financial strain for many travelers.
Airlines like Indigo, Air India, Air Asia, and Vistara have stepped in to fill the void left by Go First’s suspension of flights. However, instead of offering relief to stranded passengers, these airlines have taken advantage of the situation to increase fares on popular routes.
According to reports from various aggregators, the fare from Delhi to Mumbai has increased by 37% over the regular fare in the past few days.
Meanwhile, fares on other routes, such as Delhi-Leh and Chandigarh-Srinagar, have increased to a staggering Rs. 26,819 and Rs. 24,418, respectively.
Experts fear that the Go First crisis may lead to a monopoly in the Indian aviation industry, which could further hurt passengers in the long run. They believe that a lack of competition could lead to higher fares and lower quality of service.
Go First’s bankruptcy application is currently pending before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). The airline has cited mounting losses and a lack of funds as the reasons for its financial distress.
In conclusion, the Go First crisis has had far-reaching consequences for air passengers across India, with many stranded and facing exorbitant fares.
The situation calls for urgent attention from the government to ensure that passengers are not exploited and that the aviation industry remains competitive.
