SC questions steep airfare gap:₹8,000 vs ₹18,000 on same route, asks Centre to curb arbitrary pricing and provide relief to passengers

The Supreme Court on Friday raised concern over arbitrary airline pricing, observing that even flights operating on the same day and route often have sharply different ticket fares across airlines. The court said such discrepancies need to be addressed and asked the central government to ensure relief for passengers. A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta made the remarks while hearing a petition seeking regulation of airfares and additional charges imposed by private airlines. Centre says new aviation law in force, rules being drafted Appearing for the Centre, Tushar Mehta told the court that the government is not contesting the issue and has acknowledged the concern. He said a new aviation law introduced in 2024 has come into force and consultations are currently underway to frame rules under the new framework. The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 13. PIL seeks independent regulator for airfare monitoring The petition was filed by social activist S. Lakshminarayanan, who sought the creation of a strong and independent regulator to oversee airline ticket pricing and ancillary charges. His counsel, Ravindra Srivastava, argued that provisions to regulate such issues already exist under the Aircraft Act, 1937, but are not being effectively implemented. He said that until new rules are notified, the existing provisions remain applicable. He added that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) can issue directives if airlines are found charging excessive fares in specific situations. Court had pulled up Centre earlier The top court had earlier reprimanded the Centre on April 30 for failing to file an affidavit in the matter. It had asked the government to explain why more time was being sought and why its response had not been submitted despite previous directions. Earlier instances of court scrutiny on airfare hikes February 23, 2026: The Supreme Court of India expressed concern over sharp airfare hikes during festivals and emergency situations, calling the issue a matter of “serious concern.” The Centre had then said the Ministry of Civil Aviation was examining the matter. November 17, 2025: The court issued notices to the Centre, DGCA and Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) on the same PIL, seeking responses over sudden fluctuations in airfares and extra levies charged by airlines. ​