India asks airlines for fare data amid IndiGo antitrust scrutiny

India's civil aviation authority has asked IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa to provide average fares for routes between Dec. 1–15 as the competition regulator investigates disruptions linked to IndiGo in December.

India's civil aviation authority has requested fare information from several carriers to support an antitrust review. The request covers average fares on each route for economy and premium economy seats for the period December 1–15. The data call was made at the request of the Competition Commission of India after widespread flight cancellations in December. The probe follows complaints about fare spikes and alleged misuse of market position during the disruptions. Key facts: - The Directorate General of Civil Aviation wrote to IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa asking for average fares on each route for Dec. 1–15. - The request covers economy and premium economy fares and also seeks fare data for routes affected during the disruptions. - The Directorate said the data were sought at the CCI's request to help assess airfare patterns across airlines during the December disruptions. - The CCI in December said it was proceeding against IndiGo to assess whether it abused its dominant market position, and one complaint alleges cancellations were followed by much higher seat prices. Summary: Regulators are collecting fare data to examine pricing patterns during the December travel disruptions and to inform the CCI's assessment of possible abuse of dominance by IndiGo. The CCI will use the information as part of its ongoing review.