Fliers raise the issue of high and dual MRP for packaged water and food onboard flights; 72% experienced it for water while 59% for food just in the last 12 months

January 9, 2023, New Delhi: LocalCircles, over the last 12 months has received hundreds of complaints from consumers where they have been charged a significantly higher price when buying packaged food or water onboard their flight. This is despite the Government guidelines and orders by the national commission prohibiting identical pre-packaged products from having different MRPs at different locations.

The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) has long ruled that there cannot be two MRPs, except in accordance with the law, which was changed in 2017. On June 23, 2017, the government amended the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, effectively banning dual MRP. These rules came into effective from January 1, 2018, following the official notification by the Government. However, in practice this rule is still not being followed strictly due to lack of proper enforcement.

Focusing on the many complaints voiced by airline passengers over the last 12 months, LocalCircles conducted a survey to understand the magnitude of the issue of dual MRP onboard flights. The survey received over 22,000 responses from consumers located in 322 districts of India. 63% respondents were men while 37% respondents were women. 48% respondents were from tier 1, 32% from tier 2 and 20% respondents were from tier 3, 4 and rural districts.

Same product with slightly different packaging has an MRP of over 14 times when sold onboard flights

59% of fliers surveyed say airlines sold them packaged food with a published MRP higher than the MRP available in the market/ stores

Focusing first on pre-packaged food items sold during the flight, the survey asked, “How many times has it happened in the last 12 months that the flight that you travelled on sold you packaged food with a published MRP higher than the MRP available in the market/stores?” The query received 11,143 responses with 23% indicating “over 10 times”; 13% of respondents indicating “5-10 times”; and 23% indicating “3-4 times”. However, 18% of the respondents stated they have “never” witnessed dual MRP while travelling by air and 23% gave no clear response opting for “can’t say”. To sum up, 59% of fliers surveyed say airlines sold them packaged food with a published MRP higher than the MRP available in the market/ stores.

72% of fliers surveyed say airlines sold them bottle of water with a published MRP higher than the MRP available in the market/ stores

Focusing next on the water sold on board, the survey also asked respondents, “How many times has it happened in the last 12 months that the flight that you travelled on sold you a bottle of water with a published MRP higher than the MRP available in the market/stores?” The query received 10,865 responses with 36% indicating “over 10 times”; 14% indicating “5 to 10 times”; 22% indicating “3-4 times”; and 14% indicating “once or twice”. However, 7% of respondents stated “never happened” and 7% gave no clear response opting for “can’t say”. To sum up, 72% of fliers surveyed say airlines sold bottles of water with a published MRP higher than the MRP available in the market/ stores.

In summary, the survey finds majority of the fliers validating that they are paying a higher MRP for packaged food and water, onboard flights. The feedback from consumers also indicates that products with similar net contents are being named/branded slightly differently to publish a significantly higher MRP for sales onboard flights. 59% of fliers surveyed say airlines sold them packaged food with a published MRP higher than the MRP available in the market/ stores. Similarly, 72% of fliers surveyed say airlines sold bottle of water with a published MRP higher than the MRP available in the market/ stores. As the practice of dual MRP is not in the interest of consumers and a violation of the law, the central and state legal metrology departments must enforce accordingly. Airlines must either sell pre-packaged water and foods for products also available in the market and having an established MRP at the same MRP or stop selling such products all together. LocalCircles will share the findings of this survey with the Department of Consumer Affairs and Department of Legal Metrology so the appropriate corrective actions can be taken.