New Delhi: The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over steep and unpredictable increases in air ticket prices during festivals and peak travel periods, indicating that it is prepared to intervene to curb what it described as exploitative practices by airlines. The observation came during a hearing on Monday, as the court took note of sharp fare spikes that place an unfair burden on passengers.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta described the sudden escalation of airfares during high demand periods as exploitation of consumers. The court pointed to examples of unusually high ticket prices during major events and festivals, stating that such practices cannot be allowed to continue unchecked.
The bench directed the Union government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to file their replies to a public interest petition seeking binding regulatory guidelines to control erratic airfare fluctuations and additional charges imposed by private airlines. The court made it clear that it would examine the issue closely and was willing to step in to protect passengers from unreasonable pricing.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on February 23, after the Centre sought time to submit its response. Notices have also been issued to the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India, seeking clarity on the current regulatory framework governing airfare pricing and passenger charges.
The petition argues that there is no effective authority empowered to review or cap airfares or ancillary fees, allowing airlines to impose unpredictable and opaque pricing structures. It further claims that economy class passengers have seen a reduction in free check in baggage allowance from 25 kilograms to 15 kilograms without adequate justification, adding to the financial burden on travelers.
According to the plea, the absence of regulation has enabled arbitrary fare hikes, hidden charges, unilateral reduction of services and a lack of proper grievance redressal mechanisms. It contends that such practices directly affect citizens’ rights, particularly during emergencies or situations where air travel becomes a necessity rather than a choice.
The petition also states that allowing unrestricted demand based pricing in an essential service such as aviation is unjustifiable. It urges judicial intervention, arguing that unchecked airfare increases during critical periods deny vulnerable citizens affordable mobility and reflect a failure of the state to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities.
With the court’s strong remarks, the case is expected to trigger a broader examination of airline pricing practices and passenger protection in India’s civil aviation sector.
