‘If Airlines Don’t Follow Rules, Stop Their Flights’: SC Takes Tough Stand on Airfare Hikes

The Supreme Court on Monday took a strong stand against sharp airfare increases during festivals and holidays, saying airlines that fail to follow passenger-protection rules could have their flights stopped.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a plea seeking regulation of unpredictable airfare fluctuations and additional charges imposed by private airlines.

Centre Says Airfare Rules Near Final Stage

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik told the court that rules covering airfares and related charges were at the final stage of preparation.

The Centre sought three weeks to complete the process. The Supreme Court granted the time and scheduled the next hearing for September 7, 2026.

The court's intervention comes after repeated concerns over steep ticket prices during periods of high demand, including festivals and major events.

Plea Raises Concerns Over Airline Pricing

The petition was filed by social activist S Laxminarayanan, who has alleged that private airlines have been fixing fares unfairly and imposing additional charges on passengers.

The petitioner has sought clear rules governing airfare pricing and a regulatory mechanism to ensure compliance.

The issue has been before the Supreme Court for several months. In January, the court had criticised sharp fare increases during the Kumbh period, observing that ticket prices on some routes had risen to several times their normal levels.

Why Festival Airfares Are Under Scrutiny

Airlines in India generally use dynamic pricing, with fares changing according to demand, availability, seasonality and other operating factors. The government has historically maintained that airlines are free to set fares, subject to the existing regulatory framework.

The Supreme Court's concern centres on whether passengers are adequately protected when prices rise sharply during festivals, holidays, emergencies and other periods when travel demand surges.

The court has previously called such unpredictable fluctuations and additional charges a serious concern and sought the Centre's response.

New Rules Could Bring Greater Oversight

The Centre's proposed rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, are expected to address concerns around airfare fluctuations and additional charges.

The framework could provide greater clarity on passenger protection and the obligations of airlines. The Supreme Court is expected to examine the government's proposed rules when the matter returns in September.

For passengers, the key question will be whether the new framework can prevent sharp and disproportionate fare increases during periods when demand is at its peak.