Supreme Court to hear plea on July 13 for directions to curb ‘unpredictable fluctuations’ in air fares
Image is for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: The Hindu
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday (July 13, 2026) a plea seeking regulatory guidelines to check “unpredictable fluctuations” in fares and ancillary charges levied by private airlines in India.
Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta will hear the plea of social activist S. Laxminarayanan, who also sought a robust and independent regulator to ensure transparency and protection of passengers in the civil aviation sector.
On May 15, the apex court said there should be some rationalization of fares and asked the Center to provide relief to airmen, saying that on the same day, one airline flying in the same sector charges a particular fare while another charges another.
While not contesting the issue, the Center said the new Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam Act 2024 came into effect in January 2025 and the corresponding rules are in the process of consultation.
Represented by senior advocate Ravindra Srivastava, Laxminarayanan argued that the rules already existed under the Aircraft Act, 1937, but the problem was that they were not being followed.
On November 17 last year, the apex court had sought responses from the Center and others on Laxminarayanan’s plea.
The Center had earlier told the apex court that the civil aviation ministry was actively considering the issues raised in the plea. While hearing the matter on January 19, the apex court said it would interfere with “unpredictable fluctuations” in ticket prices and termed the excessive increase during festivals.
Terming the exorbitant increase in ticket prices by airlines as “exploitation”, the Supreme Court asked the Center and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to file their responses to the plea.
The plea alleged that all private airlines had reduced the free checked baggage allowance for economy class passengers from 25kg to 15kg without any credible justification, “turning what was previously part of the ticket into a new revenue stream”.
It said that “the new policy of only allowing one piece for check-in and the absence of any discount, compensation or benefit for passengers who do not use checked-in baggage demonstrates the arbitrary and discriminatory nature of the measure”.
The plea argued that no body currently has the authority to review or limit fares or ancillary fees, allowing airlines to take advantage of consumers through hidden fees and unpredictable pricing.
It stated that “the unregulated, non-transparent and exploitative behavior of airlines manifesting as arbitrary price increases, unilateral service curtailment, lack of on-the-spot redressal of complaints and unjustified dynamic pricing algorithms directly violates citizens’ fundamental rights to equality, freedom of movement and a dignified life”.
The absence of regulatory safeguards results in arbitrary fare hikes, especially during festivals or weather fluctuations, disproportionately hurting the poor and last-minute passengers.
The cause of action states that the state’s failure to regulate rate algorithms, cancellation policies, service continuity and complaint mechanisms constitutes a violation of its constitutional duty and requires urgent judicial intervention.
It said there was no rule preventing airlines from raising prices based on demand, and allowing them such freedom on essential services was unjustifiable.
Published – 12 Jul 2026 12:39 IST