The Supreme Court of India refused to urgently list a plea regarding high festive airfares on Tuesday. The applicant highlighted a sevenfold price surge during Diwali.
The applicant argued that extreme price hikes violated equal protection rights under Article 14 of the Constitution. Counsel described air travel as an essential service requiring court action.
Justice Vikram Nath rejected the urgent hearing request directly. He remarked that passengers could choose not to travel by air if prices were high.
The application forms part of an ongoing lawsuit against unpredictable dynamic pricing. The petition challenges opaque algorithm-driven ticket rates and additional fees charged by domestic airlines.
The apex court previously called for pricing rationalization among private carriers. Judges noted vast price differences between competing airlines flying identical routes on the same day.
The Central Government assured the court that upcoming regulations would address volatile pricing structures. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated that authorities finalized administrative approval for new rules.
The government subsequently notified the new Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam 2026 guidelines. This updated framework replaces aviation rules that governed the sector for nearly nine decades.
The new civil aviation regulations will take effect on January 1, 2027. The framework mandates full fee disclosures, base fare breakups, and refund policy transparency.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation retains regulatory oversight over dynamic tariffs. The apex court will review the published regulations during the next scheduled hearing on November 16.
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