Supreme Court gears up to hear petition today demanding independent mechanism for air passengers' complaints over soaring airfares. This follows holiday season with ticket prices skyrocketing,hitting around 1 million travelers daily.
Case lands before Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath, two months after government submitted affidavit responding to S. Laxminarayanan's petition . Government insists it's committed to passenger welfare, saying air travel now necessity,not luxury. Cites duty under Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam of 2024 to protect consumers from price gouging.
In May 5 affidavit,government said it's drafting new rules to replace outdated Aircraft Rules of 1937. But Laxminarayanan argues these are empty promises,as public outcry over fare hikes continues without change.
Concerns mount over government inaction,especially with Joint Parliamentary Committee report from March 2025 seemingly ignored. Petitioner notes DGCA stayed silent till Supreme Court petition. Last July,Civil Aviation Minister told Parliament airfares not government-regulated,airlines set prices on market demand.
Despite DGCA requiring airlines to report big fare changes within 24 hours, submit monthly tariff data, passengers still face unpredictable surges. Court to hear arguments today on airline services under Essential Services Maintenance Act of 1981,claiming affordable air travel a fundamental right.
Laxminarayanan's petition highlights DGCA powers under Rule 135(4) to act against predatory pricing. He points to Rajya Sabha Standing Committee report urging independent body like Securities and Exchange Board of India for fair pricing in aviation .
Committee report slammed lack of 'reasonable profit' definition in current framework, leading to arbitrary fares. Suggested airfares be based on cost-plus-reasonable-profit model.
Petitioner also flagged concerns over sudden airline shutdowns cutting seat availability,inflating prices . Calls for Aviation Disaster Management Unit to handle mass cancellations or closures. And he slammed baggage allowance cut from 25 kg to 15 kg as unethical .
Laxminarayanan argues these moves shift financial burden from airlines to passengers, worsening air travel woes in India…
