India’s Supreme Court has declined to give an urgent listing to a petition alleging that air fares had increased by almost 700%, as the country’s aviation sector faces continuing scrutiny over unpredictable ticket prices and ancillary charges.
An advocate sought an expedited hearing before a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Aparesh Kumar Singh. After the advocate described the alleged increase, the bench responded: “Don’t travel by air.” The advocate then argued that air travel is an essential service and that the alleged pricing breached Article 14 of India’s Constitution, which concerns equality before the law.
“Don’t travel by air.”
The case is separate from another petition already before the court that calls for an independent aviation regulator with responsibility for fare transparency, passenger protection and rules governing what it describes as “unpredictable fluctuations” in fares and ancillary charges levied by private airlines.
Regulatory rules remain under scrutiny
The wider proceedings include questions about the implementation of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, legislation intended to modernise India’s aviation framework. During a hearing on 16 October, the Indian government told the court that administrative approval had been granted for rules under the legislation and that publication was expected within two weeks.
The court subsequently asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to place the published rules before it at the next hearing, scheduled for 16 November. The government had earlier said that it had accelerated the rules’ preparation, while the court had requested responses from the government and other parties to the separate passenger-protection petition.
Fare volatility and passenger protection
The wider petition was filed by social activist S Laxminarayanan. It seeks stronger oversight of airline pricing, particularly during periods when demand rises sharply. At an earlier hearing in January, the Supreme Court said it could intervene over what it called unpredictable fare fluctuations and questioned steep increases during festivals.
The court also described excessive fare increases by airlines as “exploitation” and instructed the Indian government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to submit their replies. The proceedings therefore cover both the immediate allegation of a nearly 700% rise and the broader question of whether India’s civil aviation rules provide sufficient safeguards for passengers.
- The urgent petition alleges an almost 700% increase in air fares.
- The Supreme Court declined urgent listing before a bench of three judges.
- A separate passenger-protection case is due to return to the court on 16 November, with aviation rules requested for consideration.
The proceedings do not establish that every fare increased by the alleged amount. They place the claim within a broader legal examination of airline pricing, regulatory independence and the treatment of air travel as an essential service in India.
