Aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday asked domestic airlines to increase flights to keep a check on air fares, which have shot up following the grounding of planes by Jet. The regulator said Jet was operating just 41 of its 119 planes, on account of the non-payment of dues to lessors.

DGCA officials said “we have asked the airlines to increase their capacity to keep the fares under check…no specific instructions have been issued”.

The regulator had called a meeting with the airlines to discuss the increase in air fares following the grounding of planes by Jet and SpiceJet, who had to put its Boeing 737 Max8’s out of operation.

Earlier in the day, on intervention by aviation minister Suresh Prabhu, the regulator met ministry officials to take stock of groundings, cancellations and safety concerns vis-a-vis Jet.

“DGCA reviewed the performance of Jet Airways on operational, airworthiness and passenger facilitation (on Tuesday).

“Current availability of aircraft in the fleet for operation is 41 and accordingly schedule for 603 domestic flights and 382 international flights per week has been drawn. However, it is a dynamic situation and there may be further attrition in coming weeks,” the regulator said in a statement.