Pune Airport’s winter schedule has created a situation where passengers are facing higher fares due to a limited number of available seats, despite the allocation of numerous slots for flights. The issue stems from a practice where airlines reserve slots but do not operate flights during those times, thereby restricting seat availability and driving up ticket prices.
The Pune Airport authorities have allocated a total of 218 slots for daily flight operations during the winter schedule. However, only 206 of these slots have been reserved by airlines, and in reality, only around 190-195 flights are operating daily. This discrepancy in the number of reserved slots and actual flight operations has become a significant concern.
Aviation experts have pointed out that some airlines are reserving slots not to launch new services but to prevent competitors from using those time slots. This practice, known as slot hoarding, results in a decrease in available seats, making it difficult for passengers to find affordable flight options.
The practice of slot reservation without corresponding flight operations has direct consequences for passengers. Since fewer flights are operating than the number of slots reserved, seat availability becomes limited. This scarcity of options leads to higher ticket prices, as demand continues to exceed supply.
The winter schedule, which began a month ago, brought added services to cities like Trivandrum, Chennai, Indore, Bhopal, Ahmedabad, Dehradun, Kochi, Bangkok, and Dubai. Despite this, the total number of flights from Pune Airport has remained largely unchanged. On average, the airport continues to see around 95-97 daily departures, with even the busiest day (Sunday) not exceeding 100.
In response to the issue, Pune Airport Director Santosh Dhoke emphasized that while the administration has provided 218 slots, it is up to the airlines to decide how they use them. However, experts are urging action against airlines that misuse slot reservations. The growing concern is that this practice could continue to hinder competition, limiting consumer choice and leading to unjustifiably high fares.
The situation at Pune Airport reflects a broader issue in the aviation industry where the manipulation of slots can have serious consequences for passengers. It remains to be seen whether regulatory bodies will take steps to address these concerns and ensure that the booking of slots translates into actual flight operations that benefit consumers.
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