World Bulletin/News Desk

The Turkish government's suggestion of introducing a price cap on domestic airplane tickets, a move it expects would lower prices to more favorable levels for passengers, has been postponed until after Eid al-Adha in October.

Transportation Minister Binali Yıldırım told reporters on Thursday in Ankara that the model would be introduced after Eid al-Adha. “The General Directorate of Aviation conducted research for a year on the average prices of airplane tickets and reached a certain level in negotiations with airline companies, but because bookings had been made in advance, the new model will be implemented after Eid al-Adha,” the minister said.

The new move would introduce a maximum allowed price on tickets during holiday seasons only. The minister said they will try not to interfere with the current system that allows customers to buy discounted tickets as their ultimate aim is to protect customers. “We aim to prevent abuses in pricing,” the minister added.

Turkey's aviation sector has experienced tremendous changes over the past decade with domestic markets buoyed by growing demand. The number of passengers taking domestic flights increased to 65 million last year from 8.5 million in 2003, indicative of the rapid expansion. The country increased its number of airports from 26 to 52 in the same 10-year period.