The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the steep and unpredictable rise in airfares, especially during festive seasons, calling it a form of “exploitation” of passengers by private airlines.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking regulatory intervention, expressed concern over the erratic airfare hikes and ancillary charges levied by airlines. The PIL demands binding guidelines to control these fluctuations, which often see prices surge sharply around religious events and festivals.
“We will definitely interfere. Just see the exploitation of passengers done during the Kumbh and other festivals. Just look at the fares to Prayagraj and Jodhpur from Delhi,” the bench observed, addressing Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik, who appeared on behalf of the Union government.
The court directed the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to file detailed responses to the PIL. It questioned the absence of effective mechanisms to curb profiteering during peak travel periods and sought clarity on the regulatory framework in place to prevent such exploitative pricing.
In a lighter vein, Justice Sandeep Mehta remarked to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present in the courtroom, “Maybe airfares for Ahmedabad may not have increased, but they have shot up for other destinations like Jodhpur.”
The petition brings into focus the recurring public outcry over exorbitant ticket prices—especially for religious and festival destinations such as Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela—where travellers often face steep last-minute fare hikes, sometimes running into tens of thousands of rupees for short-distance flights.
Responding to the bench’s observations, ASG Kaushik sought time to respond on behalf of the Centre. The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on February 23.
Airfare regulation in India is currently governed under a band-based pricing system introduced post-COVID, which was later lifted. The absence of a price cap has led to calls for stricter oversight, especially as private carriers often employ dynamic pricing algorithms that cause fares to fluctuate widely based on demand.
The court’s remarks signal judicial scrutiny into what has long been a contentious issue among consumers, with many travellers voicing frustration over the lack of transparency and consumer protection in airfare pricing.
