The Supreme Court on Monday directed the central government to submit within two weeks a copy of the rules prepared to regulate airfares under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued the order while hearing a petition seeking an independent aviation regulator to ensure transparency and protect passenger interests. The Centre informed the court that draft rules had been prepared and were undergoing translation before being placed before Parliament. The bench specified that the rules must be produced in a sealed cover, whether or not they had already been tabled in Parliament. Senior advocate Ravindra Srivastava, appearing for petitioner S Laxminarayanan, noted that existing rules would remain in force until new regulations are notified. He highlighted concerns over high and fluctuating airfares and called for a robust independent regulatory mechanism. The court listed the matter for further hearing on August 3. During an earlier hearing in May, the court had observed that airfares needed rationalisation and asked the government to provide relief to passengers. The Solicitor General had informed the bench that the 2024 law came into effect in January 2025 and that rules were being drafted. The petition alleges that airlines have arbitrarily reduced baggage allowances and imposed unpredictable charges without regulatory oversight, affecting passengers during peak periods. It seeks curbs on dynamic pricing and stronger grievance redressal systems.
