IndiGo MD defends airfare hikes, blames airport charges

InterGlobe Aviation managing director Rahul Bhatia defended rising airfares, stating that airlines' share of ticket prices has increased only 1-3% despite 12% cumulative inflation over three years. He attributed higher fares to airport charges, with User Development Fee up 95% and landing charges up 34%. Bhatia also called for globally competitive flight duty regulations to avoid harming Indian airlines' competitiveness.