Govt Issues Directives to Ensure Fair Airfares

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has issued a comprehensive circular aimed at promoting transparency and fairness in airfare pricing. The directive, announced on Tuesday by the ministry's CA-2 branch and signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Rumana Yasmin, outlines strict measures for airlines and travel agencies to protect passengers from overcharging and to facilitate equitable ticket sales.

Key Directives

The new guidelines require that all ticket bookings—whether individual or group reservations—must include essential passenger information, including the passenger’s name, passport number, and a photocopy of the passport. Any bookings not followed by ticket issuance within three days will be automatically canceled by the airline.

Additionally, the circular mandates that group bookings made before February 11 must be confirmed within seven days, with complete passenger details provided. Failure to meet this requirement will result in automatic cancellation within three days.

Transparency and Online Sales

To ensure price transparency, the directive mandates that all tickets, including those sold by travel agencies, be available online with the fare clearly displayed on both the airline’s website and the ticket itself. Moreover, all group ticket sales must be reported to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, which will publish the pricing information on its website to maintain public awareness.

Airlines and travel agencies are also prohibited from selling tickets at prices higher than those approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). These entities must adhere to the “Tariff Filing” requirements under Rule 289 of the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984, and publish the approved tariff on CAAB's website.

Accountability and Consumer Protection

In an effort to bolster consumer protection, the circular requires travel agencies to issue tickets that display the official price from the airline, as well as a receipt for each sale. Agencies caught stockpiling tickets or selling them through unauthorized channels will face penalties, including the suspension or cancellation of their registration under the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Rules, 2022.

Special Airfare for Migrant Workers

As part of the new measures, the government has instructed airlines and travel agencies to introduce special fare schemes for migrant workers traveling on work visas. The circular specifically calls on Biman Bangladesh Airlines, other airlines, and the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) to implement measures within seven days to lower fares for expatriate workers, particularly those heading to the Middle East and Malaysia.

Ban on Unregistered Agencies

In a bid to protect consumers and ensure fair competition, the ministry has imposed a ban on ticket sales through unregistered travel agencies under the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Act, 2013.

These latest initiatives reflect the government's ongoing efforts to safeguard consumer rights, promote market transparency, and ensure affordable travel options for all passengers, particularly for migrant workers who rely on cost-effective airfares for their employment abroad.