India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on Tuesday informed a parliamentary panel that it is working on a mechanism to curb sudden spikes in airfare during high-demand periods, such as festivals.According to ET, the DGCA said it may introduce route-specific price ceilings to prevent “unreasonable surges,” especially during emergencies or popular events.Top officials from the ministry of civil aviation and senior executives from major carriers, including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, appeared before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is chaired by Congress MP KC Venugopal.Lawmakers raised strong concerns over fare hikes and airline safety in light of recent incidents.The panel discussion came just weeks after the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which claimed 274 lives. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is still analysing the incident and is within its 30-day window to submit a report, sources cited by ET said.Some committee members demanded an immediate audit of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, especially in the wake of multiple operational incidents across airports.The DGCA said safety audits of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, the aircraft involved in the Ahmedabad crash, have already been completed across Indian carriers.Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, who also appeared before the panel, assured members that the airline would complete fleet retrofitting within two years to improve passenger experience. “Flight safety remains our top priority,” Wilson reportedly said, according to ET.MPs across party lines criticised what they described as “arbitrary pricing practices.” They cited examples such as fare surges following the Pahalgam terror attack and the upcoming Maha Kumbh.A BJP member questioned whether such practices would continue while the DGCA works on building consensus. Some MPs argued that the regulator already has the authority to act independently.Former civil aviation minister and committee member Praful Patel said the DGCA must address air safety more seriously and tackle its staffing shortages. “They can even hire retired aviation professionals on short-term contracts to ease the burden,” he suggested, as per ET.As per news agency ANI, India’s aviation industry, while booming, faces challenges related to infrastructure, outdated systems, and manpower gaps. These issues are being re-examined amid growing pressure to meet international safety benchmarks.The government has pledged over Rs 1 lakh crore for airport development and safety enhancements over the next five years.With over 400 million passengers flying annually, the need to balance affordability, safety, and growth has never been more pressing.The upcoming report on the Air India crash and the DGCA’s promised airfare guidelines will be seen as key tests of the sector’s accountability and readiness.