Tue Jul 08 08:56:50 UTC 2025: ## News Article: Parliamentary Panel Grills Aviation Officials on Air India Crash, Srinagar Fare Hikes

**New Delhi, July 8, 2025** – A parliamentary panel, led by senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal, grilled top civil aviation ministry officials and airline representatives today regarding the recent Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad and soaring airfares to Srinagar following the Pahalgam terror attack.

During the meeting, members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) expressed deep concern over the fatal crash of the London Gatwick-bound Air India flight on June 12, which claimed the lives of approximately 270 people. Parliamentarians pressed ministry officials for a timeline on the analysis of the aircraft’s black boxes and the completion of the investigation report.

The committee also addressed the significant surge in airfares to Srinagar following the April Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in 26 fatalities. The price hikes drew sharp criticism from panel members who questioned the rationale behind the increases.

Furthermore, some members of the PAC called for a comprehensive audit of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), signaling a desire for increased oversight and accountability within the security agency.

Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson was among the top airline representatives present at the meeting. Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Ltd (AAICLAS) also attended.

The meeting’s agenda focused on the “Levy and regulation of fees, tariffs, user charges, etc. on public infrastructure and other public utilities,” indicating a broad examination of the economic aspects of the aviation sector. The scrutiny from the parliamentary panel highlights growing concerns regarding aviation safety, fare regulation, and security protocols within India’s air transport industry.

Read More