SC flags airfare surge during holidays, suggests rationalisation in pricing by airlines

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday orally remarked that there has to be some “rationalisation” in airfares charged by private airlines, while hearing a PIL seeking regulatory guidelines to check unpredictable fluctuations in ticket prices and additional charges during festive seasons and holidays.

“Try to give some relief to people. On the same day, flights to the same destination — one airline charges Rs 8,000 while another charges Rs 18,000 in economy class. There has to be some rationalisation,” a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared on behalf of the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

SG Mehta replied that following the enactment of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, rules under the new law were in the process of being framed and consultations were underway.

“There’s a new Act that has come into force. The rules are in the process of consultation. We will consider all the aspects,” the Centre’s second highest law officer submitted.

He further submitted that while the issue raised by the petitioner was not being disputed, the solution would have to come through statutory rules.

On the other hand, counsel for the petitioner submitted that under the existing rules, the DGCA could issue directions if airlines were found charging predatory or excessive fares.

“No directions are being issued. The rules are there. It’s a case of non-exercise of rules,” the petitioner contended.