The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that rules regulating airline fares and additional charges have been finalised and will be published within two weeks. The case addresses surge pricing, passenger grievances and complimentary baggage allowance in India’s aviation sector.
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that rules to regulate airline fares and additional charges imposed by airlines have been finalised and granted administrative approval. The government assured the apex court that the rules would be published within two weeks, marking a significant development in the ongoing proceedings concerning airfare transparency and passenger rights in India.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, R. Mahadevan and Aparesh Kumar Singh took note of the submission made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared on behalf of the Centre. The court directed the government to place the published rules before it on the next date of hearing. The matter has been listed for further consideration on November 16.
The proceedings arise from a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist S. Laxminarayanan, challenging what the petition describes as opaque, exploitative and algorithm-driven pricing practices in the civil aviation sector. The plea has also raised concerns over the reduction in complimentary check-in baggage allowance for airline passengers.
The Supreme Court has been examining complaints about unpredictable airfare fluctuations, particularly sharp increases during festivals, holidays, emergencies and other periods of high travel demand. The petition argues that such pricing practices can impose significant financial burdens on passengers who need to travel for medical treatment, education, employment and other essential purposes.
During an earlier hearing, the bench led by Justice Vikram Nath orally stressed the need for rationalisation of airfares charged by private airlines. The court highlighted the wide differences in ticket prices for flights travelling to the same destination on the same day.
Seeking relief for passengers, the bench had pointed out that one airline could charge Rs. 8,000 for an economy-class ticket while another charged Rs. 18,000 for a comparable journey. The observation underscored the court’s concerns about substantial price variations and the need for greater transparency in airline pricing.
The Centre had previously informed the court that rules were being framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, to address issues relating to airfare structures and additional charges. The government had also assured the bench that concerns raised in the petition, including surge pricing and excess baggage fees, were being examined at the highest level.
Another major issue raised in the PIL is the reduction in complimentary check-in baggage allowance from 25 kilograms to 15 kilograms. The petitioner has argued that passengers are now required to pay additional charges for baggage that was previously covered under the ticket allowance.
The plea seeks a comprehensive regulatory framework to oversee airline pricing practices, ensure compliance with passenger-related rules and provide an effective mechanism for resolving grievances. It has also proposed the establishment of an independent aviation tariff regulator to monitor airfare structures and protect consumer interests.
The finalisation of the rules comes amid broader concerns over affordability and transparency in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector. Passengers have frequently raised questions about substantial ticket-price differences, additional service fees and sudden fare increases during periods of high demand.
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The forthcoming publication of the rules is expected to clarify the regulatory framework governing airline fares and additional charges. However, the precise provisions and their practical impact on ticket pricing will become clearer once the government formally publishes the rules.
The Supreme Court will examine the published regulations at its next hearing on November 16. Until then, the proceedings remain focused on the government’s proposed measures to address airfare-related concerns and improve protections for air passengers.
