Sharp surge in festive season, holiday airfares 'serious concern': SC

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday observed that the price surge of air tickets during festive seasons and holidays is a "serious" concern, calling into question the unpredictable fluctuations in air fares and ancillary charges levied by private airlines. Hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking regulatory guidelines to control unpredictable fluctuations in airfare, a bench led by Justice Vikram Nath directed the central government to consider the issue and file an affidavit within four weeks detailing the steps being taken to address the issues raised in the petition. "This is a very serious concern. Otherwise, we don't entertain Article 32 petition (for enforcement of fundamental rights)," the judges said.

Additional solicitor general Anil Kaushik informed the court that the government was already discussing the issue of unpredictable airfares and extra charges by airlines at "the highest level" and will file a response in four weeks.

In November, the Supreme Court had sought response from the government, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India on a PIL filed by S. Laxminarayanan, a social activist, seeking clear rules and an independent regulator to curb unpredictable airfares and extra charges levied by private airlines.


Welcoming the SC's directions, Varun Singh, founder and managing partner, Foresight Law Offices India, said that "the system requires binding regulations because current pricing methods, which allow free market pricing, create more than just operational problems.

"The situation creates difficulties for people who need to travel urgently because they face financial difficulties and medical emergencies. The situation exists as both an economic problem and a fundamental rights issue, which includes Article 14 Right to Equality and Article 21 Rights to Life with Dignity, extending to affordable, essential transport services. The existing legal protections, therefore, require regulatory mechanisms which keep airfares under control to maintain their validity."