On Monday, November 2 the Supreme Court of India did not list a plea challenging the sharp rise in domestic airfares ahead of the festive season urgently. Justice Vikram Nath reportedly said to an advocate on record during argument “Don’t travel by air. Next case”.
The exchange took place when an advocate mentioned the matter before a bench of Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Aparesh Kumar Singh. The counsel said airline ticket prices have gone up by as much as 700 per cent and air travel has become an essential service for many passengers.
The advocate also submitted that such steep increases in airfare amounted to a violation of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution which guarantees equality before law and equal protection of laws.
However, the bench refused to grant urgent listing and went on to next matter. No order was passed on the submission at that point.
What Was the Plea Against Rising Airfares?
The application was filed by S Laxminarayanan who has already approached the Supreme Court through a PIL (public interest litigation) to regulate airline ticket pricing more.
PIL: "Air ticket price have increased to 700%. It is an essential service. Violation of Article 14." Supreme Court: "Don't travel by air. Rejected. Next case." https://t.co/OoqBW8I4aB
— 🚨Indian Gems (@IndianGems_) November 2, 2026
The petition alleges that airlines use dynamic pricing mechanisms. Ticket prices can rise sharply within a short period (during festivals, holidays etc.).
The petitioner has sought clear guidelines so that fare increases cannot be unpredictable and transparency in the way airlines set ticket prices.
The plea also complains of additional passenger charges and reduction in complimentary check-in baggage allowance for economy class passengers from 25 kg to 15 kg.
It wants an effective regulatory mechanism to protect passengers from sudden price changes and additional charges.
Why has the 700% increase in airfare become a problem?
Airline ticket prices depend on demand, seat availability, booking time and other commercial factors too. During festivals and holidays passengers may pay much more for the same flights because there are more people travelling on those routes than usual.
The petition says that such pricing practices can make air travel unaffordable (especially for those who need to travel urgently).
It also questions transparency of algorithm pricing systems passengers may not know why fares for the same route change so dramatically within hours.
The app reportedly gave examples where flights on the same routes but on different days had significant price differences.
Supreme Court's Earlier Observations on Airfare Pricing
The latest development comes as the Supreme Court is examining airline pricing practices under an ongoing review.
Earlier in the proceedings the court had expressed concern that airfares were increasing unpredictably during festivals and high season demand periods. It had also sought responses from the Centre and aviation authorities on concerns raised in the main PIL.
In a May 2026 hearing, the court reportedly said ticket prices for flights on the same route and travel date were very different and called for rationalisation of airfares and asked the government to take measures in this regard.
The main petition filed by S Laxminarayanan is still pending before the Supreme Court. The matter is listed for further hearing on November 16, 2026.
New Aviation Rules to Come Into Effect in 2027
The Centre has also been working on a regulatory framework under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
The Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 has been notified and will come into effect from January 1, 2027. The framework allows government intervention in airline fares in extraordinary circumstances only when it is necessary for the public interest.
The rules also require scheduled airlines to set fares taking into account operational costs (and other factors) and submit tariff details to DGCA.
The new framework will determine how airfare regulation is done in the years ahead but the immediate concern about high ticket prices during this festive travel period still exists.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to list the latest application urgently does not mean that the main PIL has been dismissed. The larger challenge on pricing practices of airlines is still before the court.
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