The Centre told the Supreme Court it will finalise rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam within three weeks, covering airfares, surge pricing and excess baggage charges. The court also warned that airlines violating government directions should face action, including grounding
IndiGo Managing Director Rahul Bhatia urged the government to reduce aviation taxes and rationalise airport charges, saying lower airfares would spur demand. He also defended the airline's market dominance, citing expansion into underserved routes and rising operating costs
The Supreme Court directed the Centre to submit within two weeks the rules framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, while hearing a plea seeking an independent aviation regulator, passenger protection and measures to address arbitrary airfare fluctuations
The Supreme Court urged the Centre to rationalise airfares and provide relief to passengers, flagging huge fare discrepancies on identical routes. Hearing a plea against arbitrary airline pricing, the court stressed transparency, passenger protection and regulation of dynamic pricing, baggage charges and grievance mechanisms
The government has imposed temporary airfare caps ranging from Rs 7,500 to Rs 18,000 amid a sharp surge in ticket prices following widespread IndiGo flight cancellations. The civil aviation ministry is monitoring fares closely and has ordered expedited refunds and support for affected passengers
IndiGo cancelled all domestic flights from Delhi on December 5, causing airfare spikes nationwide. Fares on routes like Delhi–Bengaluru reached Rs 1.02 lakh. Crew shortages due to new pilot duty norms and previous cancellations worsened the disruption, stranding thousands of passengers.
