New Delhi: A recent survey by LocalCircles has revealed widespread practices of airlines overcharging passengers for food and water onboard flights, despite clear government regulations prohibiting such dual pricing.
Key Findings:
- 72% of passengers surveyed encountered bottled water with higher MRPs on flights compared to markets.
- 59% faced similar complaints regarding packaged food purchases.
- Nearly 23% experienced this for packaged food on over 10 occasions in the past year.
- 36% faced overcharged bottled water more than 10 times.
Consumer Protection Concerns:
The LocalCircles report highlights a blatant disregard for consumer protection regulations established by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). Dual MRP practices were explicitly banned in a 2017 amendment to the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, with implementation beginning in January 2018.
Lack of Enforcement:
The survey suggests poor enforcement of these regulations, attributing the discrepancy to "lack of proper enforcement." This raises concerns about consumer vulnerability and necessitates stricter monitoring by relevant authorities.
Survey Details:
- Over 22,000 responses from 322 Indian districts were collected.
- Gender demographics: 63% male, 37% female.
- Location demographics: 48% tier 1 cities, 32% tier 2, 20% tier 3, 4, and rural.
Call for Action:
The LocalCircles report urges immediate action from the government and regulatory bodies to ensure airlines adhere to consumer protection regulations and eliminate unfair dual pricing practices. This will foster a more transparent and trustworthy environment for air travel consumers.