India's Supreme Court ordered Union government to deliver new aviation regulations to curb wild airfares and predatory pricing. This came up July 13, 2026, during a hearing. Regulations,under Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam,2024, are being translated before hitting Parliament.
Anil Kaushik,representing DGCA and government,told justices the regulations will be ready for the monsoon session starting July 21. "The draft rules are ready," Kaushik said. "Please give us some time."
But Ravindra Srivastava,arguing for the petitioner,insisted on public consultation before Parliament sees them. The court agreed,giving the government two weeks to submit draft rules in a sealed cover.
“Respondents need to peruse the rules before this court without awaiting the placing of same before Parliament,” Bench stated. “Considering the aforesaid submissions,we grant two weeks’ time to respondents to place before this court the rules that are being framed, irrespective of fact whether they are placed before Parliament or not, in a sealed cover.”
This whole thing started with a PIL by activist S. Laxminarayan over unchecked airfare hikes during holidays and emergencies. Srivastava called DGCA's lack of action "exploitative."
Back in April,government paused a March directive that had airlines offering at least 60% of seats without a seat selection fee. That directive also made airlines seat passengers with the same PNR together.
“The DGCA, which is the regulator, is issuing directions and government withdraws those directions... It is a sorry situation,” Srivastava said, urging the court for a better framework.
Justice Sandeep Mehta mentioned geopolitical tensions, like Iran possibly closing Strait of Hormuz,could be used to justify fare hikes. Srivastava countered this,saying fuel costs account for just 10% of airfare,yet prices jumped 100-300% during peak times.
“The fuel component in the airfare is maximum of 10%. The rise is 100 to 300% during this period. This is a very pitiable condition. Your Lordships have to do something,” he urged court.
The Supreme Court will keep digging into these issues, with another hearing set for August 3. No current body can cap airfares, leaving passengers at the mercy of unpredictable pricing. Poorer travelers suffer most,forced to buy costly tickets during peak times,unlike wealthier ones who plan ahead.
The petition argues state can't stand by as consumer rights get trampled . The lack of regulation on fare algorithms, cancellations,and other issues is seen as failure of constitutional duty needing urgent court action .
