India’s government commits to finalising new airline pricing rules within three weeks amid mounting judicial scrutiny over fare hikes and market transparency, signalling a potential shift towards stronger oversight of ticket costs.
India’s government has told the Supreme Court it will complete new rules on airline fares, surge pricing and excess baggage charges within three weeks, a move that could bring tighter oversight to ticket pricing after months of judicial scrutiny. The case centres on a petition alleging that passengers have faced arbitrary and steep fare increases, especially during peak travel periods.
According to the proceedings, the court pressed the Centre to act against airlines that do not follow its directions. The bench went further, warning that carriers refusing to comply could face strong action, including grounding. The government said the draft rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, which came into force in January 2025, have been fast-tracked while the civil aviation ministry continues to issue office memoranda to airlines on pricing.
The Supreme Court has been examining fare volatility for several months. In January, it said it would look into “unpredictable fluctuations” in airfares, particularly sharp rises around festive travel periods, and described excessive increases as exploitative. During a hearing on May 15, the court said fares needed rationalisation and asked the Centre to provide relief to air passengers.
The matter is now listed for the next hearing on September 7, 2026. Until then, the court’s warning to airlines and the government’s promise of speed suggest that India’s long-running debate over air ticket pricing may be nearing a more formal regulatory framework.
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