The Supreme Court has refused to urgently list a petition seeking limits on domestic airfares during the Diwali travel season. The plea asks the government to create a mechanism to prevent steep fare increases during festivals and other periods of high demand.
The application was mentioned before a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Aparesh Singh. The petitioner’s counsel said fares on some routes had risen to as much as seven times their usual levels. Justice Nath declined the request for urgent listing, remarking, “Don’t travel by air.”
Plea Seeks Temporary Fare Limits
The application was filed by S. Laxminarayanan as part of a pending public interest litigation challenging algorithm-based dynamic pricing, sharp last-minute fare increases and additional charges.
It seeks interim limits on economy-class fares during the current festive period and the year-end travel season. The petitioner also wants the government and aviation authorities to establish a longer-term mechanism for regulating fares during festival periods.
The plea cites examples of large price differences on the same route and date. It argues that passengers travelling during peak periods may have little choice, particularly when train tickets are unavailable or travel is required for emergencies.
Petitioner Questions Airlines’ Pricing Explanation
The application disputes airlines’ explanations that higher fares are driven by aviation turbine fuel costs. It argues that flights operating on the same route and day use comparable amounts of fuel, yet ticket prices can vary significantly depending on departure time and demand.
The petitioner contends that prices driven primarily by demand can place an unfair burden on passengers during festivals, when travel is often difficult to postpone.
Baggage Allowance Also Challenged
The plea also seeks restoration of the free checked baggage allowance in economy class from 15 kg to 25 kg during festival periods. It argues that passengers face additional costs when carrying gifts or household goods, on top of higher ticket prices.
Court Hearing and New Rules Ahead
The main petition is scheduled to be heard on November 16. Separately, the government has notified the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026, which will take effect on January 1, 2027. The rules allow the Centre to issue directions on fares in extraordinary situations and require airlines to submit tariff details to the aviation regulator.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to urgently list the application does not decide the underlying challenge to dynamic pricing. The broader plea, including requests for fare and baggage protections, remains pending.