SC To Hear Plea On Regulation Of Airfares, Ancillary Charges

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) New Delhi- The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea seeking regulatory guidelines to check“unpredictable fluctuations” in airfares and ancillary charges levied by private airlines in India.

According to the apex court's cause list for September 7, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta will hear the matter.

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The Centre had told the Supreme Court on August 17 that it had fast-tracked the framing of rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, and that the rules would be finalised within three weeks.

The government had placed the draft rules before the bench in a sealed cover, informing the court that final discussions were underway.

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The court had taken note of Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik's request for three weeks to finalise the draft rules and place them before the bench.

The apex court is hearing a plea filed by social activist S Laxminarayanan, who has sought an independent regulator to ensure transparency and passenger protection in the civil aviation sector, besides guidelines to regulate airfare and ancillary charges.

Senior advocate Ravindra Srivastava, appearing for the petitioner, had argued that existing rules would continue to operate until the new rules come into force. He also questioned the authorities'“lack of willingness” to address the issue and alleged that airlines were charging exorbitant fares.

On July 13, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to place the rules framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 before it in a sealed cover, irrespective of whether they had been placed before Parliament.

Earlier, while hearing the plea on May 15, the court had said there should be some rationalisation of airfares and asked the Centre to provide relief to passengers.

Read Also New Airfare Rules In 3 Weeks: Centre SC Seeks Airfare Rationalisation, Relief for Passengers

The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 came into effect in January 2025, replacing the Aircraft Act, 1934. The corresponding rules are being framed by the Centre.

The Supreme Court had in January also flagged sharp increases in airfares during festival periods, describing such escalation as“exploitation” and directing the Centre and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to respond to the plea.

The petition has also challenged the reduction of free check-in baggage allowance for economy-class passengers from 25 kg to 15 kg by private airlines, alleging that the change has converted an earlier ticketed service into an additional revenue stream.

It further challenges the policy allowing only a single piece of check-in baggage and the absence of any rebate or compensation for passengers who do not use the baggage facility.

The plea contends that there is currently no authority with the power to review or cap airfares or ancillary fees, allowing airlines to impose hidden charges and engage in unpredictable pricing.

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