The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has issued new directives requiring airlines and travel agencies to ensure transparency in airfare pricing, with the goal of protecting passengers from overcharging and promoting fair ticket sales.
The circular, released on Tuesday by the ministry's CA-2 branch and signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Rumana Yasmin, outlines several measures to guarantee passengers are charged the correct fare.
Key Directives
The circular mandates that all ticket bookings, including group reservations, must include the passenger's name, passport number, and a photocopy of the passport. Tickets not issued within three days of booking will be automatically canceled. Additionally, tickets reserved for group bookings before February 11 must be confirmed within seven days, with all passenger details completed. Failure to comply will result in cancellation within the next three days.
Transparent Pricing and Online Sales
The circular stresses the importance of transparent pricing, requiring airlines and travel agencies to sell tickets online with the fare clearly displayed on both the website and the ticket. It also mandates that all group ticket sales be reported to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, which will publish the pricing information on its website for public access.
Airlines and travel agencies are prohibited from selling tickets at prices higher than those submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB). They must also adhere to the "Tariff Filing" rules under the Civil Aviation Rules, 1984, ensuring that the approved tariff is published on CAAB's website.
Accountability and Consumer Protection
The directive requires travel agencies to provide passengers with tickets reflecting the official airline price and issue a receipt for the sale. In an effort to prevent price manipulation, the ministry warned that agencies caught hoarding tickets or selling them through unauthorized channels would face penalties, including suspension or cancellation of their registration under the Bangladesh Travel Agency Rules, 2022.
Special Fares for Migrant Workers
The ministry also directed airlines and travel agencies to offer special fares for migrant workers traveling on work visas. Biman Bangladesh Airlines and other carriers are required to take action within seven days to reduce ticket prices for expatriate workers, particularly those traveling to the Middle East and Malaysia.
Ban on Unregistered Agencies
To ensure fair competition and protect consumers, the ministry has prohibited ticket sales through unregistered travel agencies, as outlined in the Bangladesh Travel Agency (Registration and Control) Act, 2013, reports BSS.
These measures are part of the government's efforts to protect consumer rights, ensure market transparency, and provide affordable travel options for migrant workers.
