‘Unpredictable airfares, airline fees’: Supreme Court to hear bid for tighter rules on Monday | Today’s news
The Supreme Court is set to hear a plea on Monday seeking regulatory guidelines to address “unpredictable fluctuations” in fares and ancillary charges levied by private airlines in India, PTI reported.
According to the Supreme Court’s September 7 list of cases, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta will hear the matter.
The suit was filed by social activist S Laxminarayanan, who sought a robust and independent regulatory mechanism to ensure transparency and protection of passengers across the civil aviation sector.
Aviation Quick Rules Center
During an earlier hearing on August 17, the Center had told the Supreme Court that it has expedited the rule-making process under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024, which seeks to modernize India’s aviation sector.
The government said the rules would be finalized within three weeks and placed the draft before the bench in a sealed enclosure, saying some final negotiations were still underway.
The court noted that Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik, appearing for the Centre, sought three weeks to finalize the draft rules and submit them to the court.
On July 13, the Supreme Court directed the Center to place before it the rules laid down in the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024 in a sealed cover, irrespective of whether they have already been tabled in Parliament.
Read also | Fare hike fears: Government moves to cushion fuel price shock for domestic airlines
What is the lawsuit looking for?
Laxminarayanan has sought regulatory guidelines to check fare fluctuations and ancillary charges levied by private airlines.
Senior advocate Ravindra Srivastava, appearing for the petitioners, argued that the existing rules continue to operate till the new regulations come into effect.
He questioned the authorities’ “lack of willingness” and the effectiveness of the existing mechanism, saying airlines were charging exorbitant fares.
The cause of action alleges that the private airlines have reduced the free checked baggage allowance for economy class passengers from 25kg to 15kg without reasonable justification. They claim it has turned what was previously part of a hand-me-down service into another revenue stream.
It also questions the policy of only allowing one piece of checked baggage and the absence of any discount, compensation or benefit for passengers who do not use the baggage facility.
According to the lawsuit, there is currently no authority with the authority to review or limit fares or surcharges, allowing airlines to charge consumers hidden fees and unpredictable prices.
Read also | The SC asks the center to place before it rules for regulation of air tickets within 2 weeks
The Supreme Court pointed out the high prices of air tickets
The Supreme Court has previously expressed concern over the sharp fluctuations in air ticket prices.
While hearing the plea on May 15, the Supreme Court said there should be some rationalization of air tickets and asked the Center to provide relief to passengers.
In January, the court said it would intervene due to “unpredictable fluctuations” in ticket prices, noting sharp increases during festival periods.
Terming the exorbitant increase in ticket prices as “exploitation”, the court ordered the Center and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to respond to the plea.
The case will now reach the Supreme Court on September 7.
