In a significant development for air travelers, the Indian government has told the Supreme Court it’s actively probing private airlines’ erratic pricing during holidays and festivals. The revelation came during Monday’s hearing, highlighting add-on fees that inflate costs unpredictably.
Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta’s bench was seized with a PIL exposing predatory pricing algorithms and shrinking baggage perks in domestic aviation. The case demands transparency and fairness for millions of flyers.
ASG Anil Kaushik detailed ongoing high-level deliberations, including a Solicitor General-led meeting. ‘We’ve elevated this to the highest echelons and are engaging key authorities,’ he said, requesting four weeks to file a response.
Acquiescing, the apex court postponed the matter to March 23. It stressed that peak-season fare spikes and extras are ‘a very serious concern,’ justifying PIL scrutiny. The judges rebuffed FIA’s bid to join proceedings, confident in government stakeholder consultations.
Originating from activist S. Lakshminarayanan’s November filing via advocate Charu Mathur, the petition paints air travel as increasingly unaffordable. Under the Essential Services Maintenance Act, it shouldn’t suffer from ‘unregulated, unpredictable’ hikes that multiply fares in hours during crises or celebrations.
Vulnerable passengers—rushing for health emergencies, studies, or work—bear the brunt. Airlines’ baggage cut from 25kg to 15kg is slammed as a sneaky monetization tactic. The plea invokes Article 21, calling these moves unconstitutional, and seeks a robust regulator to monitor structures, enforce rules, and adjudicate complaints.
With Diwali and other festivities approaching, the court’s intervention signals potential reforms. Travelers hope for stable fares that don’t exploit seasonal demand, fostering a more equitable skies for all.