Airfare rules to be published in two weeks, Centre tells Supreme Court

The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that airfare pricing rules have been finalized and have received administrative approval, with publication planned within two weeks. The Supreme Court has adjourned the matter to November 16. The petition seeks guidelines to prevent sudden surges in airfares and the creation of an independent aviation regulator to safeguard consumers.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court bench commented, "We are also victims of the surge in airfares." This comes after the Supreme Court gave the Centre three weeks to finalize the draft rules on airfare pricing. The latest submission from the Centre suggests that the rules are finalized and awaiting publication. The petition calls for measures to address sharp and unpredictable increases in airfares and a regulatory framework to protect air passengers from excessive pricing.

On August 17, the Centre informed the top court that it had expedited the drafting of rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, aimed at modernizing India's aviation sector, with finalization expected within three weeks. The government had presented the draft rules to the bench in a sealed cover, indicating ongoing final discussions.

The apex court noted that Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik, representing the Centre, requested three weeks to finalize the draft rules before presenting them to the court. The Supreme Court is currently hearing a plea filed by social activist S Laxminarayanan, who seeks a robust and independent regulator ensuring transparency and passenger protection in the civil aviation sector, along with regulatory guidelines to control unpredictable fluctuations in airfare and ancillary charges imposed by private airlines in India.

Senior advocate Ravindra Srivastava, representing the petitioner, questioned the authorities' unwillingness and the effectiveness of the current mechanism, arguing that airlines are charging exorbitant fares.