Centre tells Supreme Court aviation rules will be published within two weeks

The Centre on Friday informed the Supreme Court that administrative approval has been granted to the rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, aimed at regulating India's aviation sector. The rules are likely to be published within two weeks.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath, R Mahadevan and Aparesh Kumar Singh asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to place the published rules before it on the next date of hearing. The court scheduled the next hearing for November 16.

At the outset, Mehta told the bench, "The rules have been finalised and the administrative approval to the rules has been granted. The same would be published within two weeks."

Plea seeks independent aviation regulator

The court was hearing a petition filed by social activist S Laxminarayanan, who has sought a robust and independent regulator to ensure transparency and passenger protection across the civil aviation sector.

The plea also seeks regulatory guidelines to address what it describes as "unpredictable fluctuations" in airfares and additional charges imposed by private airlines.

On August 17, the Centre had informed the court that it had expedited the framing of rules under the 2024 legislation, which came into effect in January 2025. At the time, the government said the rules were being finalised and placed the draft provisions in a sealed cover, citing ongoing discussions.

On July 13, the Supreme Court had directed the Centre to submit the rules in a sealed cover, irrespective of whether they had been placed before Parliament.

Supreme Court flags steep airfare hikes

The Supreme Court had earlier expressed concern over sharp increases in airfares, particularly during festivals, and called for rationalisation of ticket prices.

In January, the court described exorbitant fare hikes by airlines as "exploitation" and asked the Centre and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to file their responses to the petition.

The plea argues that the absence of an authority empowered to review or cap airfares and ancillary charges leaves passengers vulnerable to unpredictable pricing and additional fees.

Petition raises concerns over baggage rules and pricing

The petitioner has also challenged the reduction in free check-in baggage allowance for economy-class passengers from 25 kg to 15 kg, alleging that the change has turned an earlier ticketed service into a new revenue stream for airlines.

The plea further questions the policy of allowing only a single piece of check-in baggage without offering rebates or compensation to passengers who do not use the facility.

It alleges that opaque pricing practices, arbitrary fare increases, reduced services and inadequate grievance redressal mechanisms infringe upon passengers' rights.

The petition also argues that dynamic pricing based on demand, particularly during festivals and weather disruptions, disproportionately affects poorer passengers and those booking tickets at short notice. It has urged the court to intervene and direct the introduction of safeguards governing fares, cancellation policies, service continuity and passenger complaints.