The Central government informed the Supreme Court about the ongoing examination of volatile airfares and additional fees imposed by private airlines during peak seasons. This disclosure came during a hearing on a public interest litigation challenging pricing practices and baggage limits in India’s aviation sector. The government is actively engaging in consultations at the highest levels to address the issues raised in the petition.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik, representing the Union government, mentioned ongoing discussions at the highest authority levels to resolve the concerns highlighted in the petition. The government has initiated consultations and is preparing a response to address the issues raised regarding airfares and add-on charges during peak travel times.
In response to the government’s submission, the Supreme Court granted a four-week extension for the Centre to provide its response and scheduled further consideration for March 23. The bench, led by Justice Vikram Nath, expressed serious concerns over airfare fluctuations and additional charges during peak travel periods, emphasizing the gravity of the matter.
The apex court declined the Federation of Indian Airlines’ plea to intervene in the proceedings, stating that the government would engage with stakeholders before making any policy decisions. The court highlighted that the Union government would involve relevant parties in the decision-making process before forming any committee or policy decisions.
In November 2025, the Supreme Court had issued notice on a plea by social activist S. Laxminarayanan, raising concerns about the affordability of air travel due to unregulated fare mechanisms. The petition highlighted sudden fare spikes and reductions in check-in baggage allowances, impacting passengers needing to travel urgently for various reasons. It urged the court to direct the Centre to establish a regulatory framework or an independent aviation tariff regulator to oversee airfare structures and address passenger grievances effectively.
