Key Highlights
- Rules ready: The Centre told the Supreme Court that rules regulating airfares and extra charges are finalised and have administrative approval.
- Two-week timeline: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court the rules will be published within two weeks.
- Next hearing: The bench directed that the published rules be placed before it; the matter is listed for November 16.
- Core complaint: A PIL by S. Laxminarayanan challenges “opaque, exploitative and algorithm-driven” pricing and the cut in free check-in baggage from 25 kg to 15 kg.
- Legal basis: The rules are being framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
Air passengers frustrated by sudden fare spikes may soon have a formal set of rules on their side. The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Friday that rules to regulate airfares and additional charges imposed by airlines have been finalised and granted administrative approval. It assured the court that they would be published within two weeks.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, R. Mahadevan and Aparesh Kumar Singh took note of the submission made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre. The bench directed that the published rules be placed before it on the next date of hearing and listed the matter for November 16.
The PIL Behind the Case
The proceedings stem from a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist S. Laxminarayanan. The plea challenges alleged “opaque, exploitative and algorithm-driven” pricing practices in civil aviation, along with the reduction in complimentary check-in baggage allowance.
The petition argues that sharp fare increases during emergencies, festivals and peak travel periods hurt passengers who must travel for medical, educational or employment-related reasons. It also questions the cut in free check-in baggage from 25 kg to 15 kg, alleging that passengers are now charged for services once included in the ticket.
The plea seeks a comprehensive regulatory framework or an independent aviation tariff regulator to oversee fare structures, monitor compliance and address grievances.
What the Court Has Said So Far
The Supreme Court has been examining unpredictable fare fluctuations, especially during festive seasons and holidays, as well as additional airline charges. At an earlier hearing, the bench led by Justice Vikram Nath had orally called for “rationalisation” in airfares.
“Try to give some relief to people. On the same day, flights to the same destination — one airline charges Rs 8,000 while another charges Rs 18,000 in economy class. There has to be some rationalisation,” the court had observed.
The Centre had earlier told the court that rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, were being framed to tackle these concerns, and that issues such as airfares, surge pricing and excess baggage charges were being examined at the highest level.
Why It Matters
India’s domestic airlines largely set fares through dynamic, demand-based pricing. For many travellers, that means fares can more than double within hours, often when they have the least choice. A formal rulebook would mark a shift from a hands-off approach to one where fare-setting and add-on charges face clearer oversight.
Industry Impact
Much will depend on the fine print. The aviation sector is likely to watch closely how the rules treat dynamic pricing and ancillary fees such as baggage charges, which have become an important revenue stream. The balance between passenger protection and commercial freedom will shape how airlines respond.
Passenger Sentiment
Fare shock is a common complaint, especially around festivals and holidays. The timing of the rules, ahead of a busy travel season, means passengers will be keen to see whether they bring any visible relief.
What Comes Next
All eyes are now on the publication of the rules within two weeks and the Supreme Court’s review on November 16, when the bench will examine whether they address the concerns raised in the PIL.
Key Highlights
- Rules ready: The Centre told the Supreme Court that rules regulating airfares and extra charges are finalised and have administrative approval.
- Two-week timeline: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the court the rules will be published within two weeks.
- Next hearing: The bench directed that the published rules be placed before it; the matter is listed for November 16.
- Core complaint: A PIL by S. Laxminarayanan challenges “opaque, exploitative and algorithm-driven” pricing and the cut in free check-in baggage from 25 kg to 15 kg.
- Legal basis: The rules are being framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
Air passengers frustrated by sudden fare spikes may soon have a formal set of rules on their side. The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Friday that rules to regulate airfares and additional charges imposed by airlines have been finalised and granted administrative approval. It assured the court that they would be published within two weeks.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, R. Mahadevan and Aparesh Kumar Singh took note of the submission made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre. The bench directed that the published rules be placed before it on the next date of hearing and listed the matter for November 16.
The PIL Behind the Case
The proceedings stem from a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist S. Laxminarayanan. The plea challenges alleged “opaque, exploitative and algorithm-driven” pricing practices in civil aviation, along with the reduction in complimentary check-in baggage allowance.
The petition argues that sharp fare increases during emergencies, festivals and peak travel periods hurt passengers who must travel for medical, educational or employment-related reasons. It also questions the cut in free check-in baggage from 25 kg to 15 kg, alleging that passengers are now charged for services once included in the ticket.
The plea seeks a comprehensive regulatory framework or an independent aviation tariff regulator to oversee fare structures, monitor compliance and address grievances.
What the Court Has Said So Far
The Supreme Court has been examining unpredictable fare fluctuations, especially during festive seasons and holidays, as well as additional airline charges. At an earlier hearing, the bench led by Justice Vikram Nath had orally called for “rationalisation” in airfares.
“Try to give some relief to people. On the same day, flights to the same destination — one airline charges Rs 8,000 while another charges Rs 18,000 in economy class. There has to be some rationalisation,” the court had observed.
The Centre had earlier told the court that rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, were being framed to tackle these concerns, and that issues such as airfares, surge pricing and excess baggage charges were being examined at the highest level.
Why It Matters
India’s domestic airlines largely set fares through dynamic, demand-based pricing. For many travellers, that means fares can more than double within hours, often when they have the least choice. A formal rulebook would mark a shift from a hands-off approach to one where fare-setting and add-on charges face clearer oversight.
Industry Impact
Much will depend on the fine print. The aviation sector is likely to watch closely how the rules treat dynamic pricing and ancillary fees such as baggage charges, which have become an important revenue stream. The balance between passenger protection and commercial freedom will shape how airlines respond.
Passenger Sentiment
Fare shock is a common complaint, especially around festivals and holidays. The timing of the rules, ahead of a busy travel season, means passengers will be keen to see whether they bring any visible relief.
What Comes Next
All eyes are now on the publication of the rules within two weeks and the Supreme Court’s review on November 16, when the bench will examine whether they address the concerns raised in the PIL.