Supreme Court asks centre to finalise airfare rules by November 16

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that raised concerns over the pricing practices of private airlines and the sharp variations in ticket prices, which can make air travel significantly more expensive for passengers.

In Short

• Supreme Court directs Centre to submit final airfare rules by November 16
• Concerns raised over excessive and arbitrary ticket prices by private airlines
• Court to review finalised rules at next hearing

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre to submit its final rules on regulating airfares by November 16, amid concerns over excessive and arbitrary ticket prices charged by private airlines, reported The Economic Times.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the rules had received the government’s approval and would be published within a fortnight. The court has asked the Centre to place the finalised rules before it at the next hearing.

The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) that raised concerns over the pricing practices of private airlines and the sharp variations in ticket prices, which can make air travel significantly more expensive for passengers.

During an August hearing, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre to ground airlines that failed to comply with the rules. At the time, the government had told the court that the rules to regulate airfares would be finalised within three weeks.

The issue came up after the Civil Aviation Ministry informed the court that it had been issuing office memorandums to airlines on pricing until the final rules were ready. However, the ministry said airlines were not following these directions.

The court had also examined the draft rules submitted by the government in a sealed cover.

The matter will now be heard on November 16, by which date the Centre has been directed to submit the final airfare rules.

- Ends