TEHRAN – People are not able to pay for the increase in the air ticket prices. Low airport service fees received from the airline companies and issuing licenses for international flights are among some of the government supports for reducing the airlines’ current costs, noted on Sunday, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization (CAO) director Nurollah Rezaii Niaraki.

The recent comments made by some domestic airline companies to justify the rise in their ticket prices are largely unrealistic because the – subsidized - fuel they receive compensates for their current expenses, Persian service of Iranian Students News Agency ISNA quoted him as saying.

Referring to the government and the Ministry of Roads and Transportation’s supports for domestic airline companies, he said that the ministry and in particular, Civil Aviation Organization, are doing their best to support the companies and help prevent increase in the ticket prices.

In case domestic airlines fail to continue their activities, there are many other companies that are willing to replace them, the official warned.