The Supreme Court of India on Monday, November 2, 2026, refused an urgent listing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging an alleged 700 percent hike in airline ticket prices ahead of the Diwali festival season.
A bench presided over by Justice Vikram Nath responded sharply when an advocate representing petitioner S. Laxminarayanan sought an expedited hearing:
Advocate: “The airfares have increased to 700 percent. It is an essential service. It is a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution.”
Justice Vikram Nath: “Don’t travel by air. Next case.”
The court declined to take up the urgent request, proceeding directly to the next matter on the roster.
Arguments in the Petition
The writ petition filed by social activist S. Laxminarayanan contends that unchecked, opaque dynamic pricing algorithms and surging ancillary fees by private airlines violate fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.
- Unregulated Surge Pricing: The petition highlighted that private carriers frequently double or triple ticket prices within minutes during festive seasons, emergencies, and natural disruptions, extracting maximum revenue from vulnerable passengers.
- Baggage Allowance Reductions: The plea also challenged the decision by airlines to reduce free check-in baggage allowances for economy passengers from 25 kg to 15 kg, terming the 40 percent cut an “unjustified monetisation” of an essential service.
- Right to Mobility: The petitioner argued that air travel has evolved from a luxury into a critical mode of transportation and requested temporary regulatory caps on festive fares and the restoration of earlier baggage limits.
Broader Aviation Regulatory Context
While the Supreme Court declined the urgent Diwali-specific listing on Monday, the broader constitutional challenge regarding aviation pricing and passenger rights remains under the active consideration of the court.
- Government Policy Stance: India’s new aviation regulatory rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 maintain a free-market approach, allowing market forces to dictate ticket pricing.
- State Intervention Powers: Under the updated policy framework set to take effect from January 1, 2027, government intervention will remain restricted to “extraordinary situations” where price caps are deemed strictly necessary in the public interest.
- Upcoming Hearings: The Centre recently informed the apex court that rules drafted under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 have received administrative clearance. The main petition is scheduled for further proceedings on November 16, 2026.
