Tripled Airfares during festivals? Supreme Court slams Airlines for exploitative pricing

The Supreme Court signalled imminent judicial intervention against steep airfare hikes during festivals and emergencies, expressing concern over airlines allegedly exploiting passengers through sudden price surges, as it heard a PIL challenging unchecked dynamic pricing practices in India’s civil aviation sector.

The Court was hearing a public interest petition filed by a social activist questioning algorithm driven fare increases, last-minute surcharges, and reduced baggage allowances, arguing that air ticket prices often multiply within hours during high-demand situations such as religious gatherings, terror incidents, or medical emergencies.

The plea contended that such volatility disproportionately impacts vulnerable passengers who have no option but to travel urgently, and alleged that the absence of regulatory oversight allows airlines to revise fares multiple times a day without transparency or accountability.

A Bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta expressed strong disapproval of the practice, particularly during mass events, with Justice Mehta remarking, “We will interfere… look at the exploitation,” while pointing to instances where fares allegedly tripled during major pilgrimages.

Justice Nath added that the issue was not confined to one event but extended to “every festival.” Indicating that the matter raised serious questions about fairness and public interest, the Court made it clear that regulatory intervention could follow to curb exploitative pricing, and kept the PIL pending for further consideration.

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