Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Saturday asked the Airline industry to cut air fares for making air travel cheaper in the country. The government has helped the industry and it is waiting for positive response from the aviation companies.

Mr. Patel was speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in the capital. He said that the price of fuel is coming down and companies should offer its advantage to the customers with immediate effect. Patel said that the industry should understand the problems of democratically elected government, as it has to face the people. Companies should lower air fares for the passengers to get more aid from the government.

He said that Air India is a responsible airline and government can expect positive response from AI in the wake of declining oil prices. However, the government had neither directed nor would it direct for price reduction, keeping faith in the state run carrier.

The industry seemed reluctant to ear the advice of the aviation minister. Jet Airways chief, Naresh Goyal said that all of us can understand the situation of the aviation sector following slowdown and he is not ready to close his company by taking populist decisions. Aviation companies would be happy to provide services at reasonable rates but are also committed to saving the interests of their share holders.