Archive · 17 Nov 2025
SC Questions Airline Pricing, Baggage Policies
The Supreme Court wants to know why airfare prices change so much and why airlines let you check in less luggage for free.
A person thinks this is unfair and wants the court to make rules to protect passengers.
The court has asked the government and airline authorities to explain their side, and they will talk about it later.
Supreme Court sought responses on airfare fluctuations and baggage limits from Centre and aviation authorities.
Petition challenges 'unpredictable' airfare changes and reduced free baggage allowance.
Petitioner argues for an independent regulator to control airline pricing and protect passengers.
Court issued notices to Centre, DGCA, and AERA, with hearing scheduled after four weeks.
Petitioner alleges arbitrary fare hikes, lack of on-ground grievance redressal, and infringement of fundamental rights.
- Who
- Supreme Court, Centre, DGCA, AERA, Social activist S. Laxminarayanan
- What
- Supreme Court sought responses on airfare fluctuations and reduced baggage allowance
- When
- Monday
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- Petitioner argues for better regulation and protection of passengers' rights
Petitioner's Concerns
Airlines/Regulators' Current Practices
Airfare Pricing
Petitioner's Concerns
Airlines engage in 'unregulated, opaque and exploitative conduct,' with 'unjustified dynamic pricing algorithms' leading to arbitrary fare hikes, especially during peak times or disruptions. This infringes on citizens' fundamental rights.
Airlines/Regulators' Current Practices
Airlines currently operate with unpredictable airfare fluctuations and dynamic pricing, with no specific regulatory cap on fares or ancillary charges.
Baggage Allowance
Petitioner's Concerns
The reduction of free check-in baggage from 25 kg to 15 kg is viewed as a unilateral move to create a new revenue stream without offering passengers any rebate or benefit.
Airlines/Regulators' Current Practices
Airlines have reduced baggage allowances, suggesting a shift in service offerings and revenue models without explicit regulatory intervention against this change.
Regulatory Oversight
Petitioner's Concerns
There is a lack of an authority with the power to review or cap airfares and ancillary fees, leading to passenger exploitation and a lack of on-ground grievance redressal.
Airlines/Regulators' Current Practices
Existing regulatory bodies like the DGCA and AERA do not currently possess the power to cap airfares or ancillary fees, and there is no independent aviation tariff regulator.
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Respondents Notified
- Centre, DGCA, AERA
- Response Time
- Within four weeks
- Petitioner
- Social activist S. Laxminarayanan
- Baggage Limit Reduction
- From 25 kg to 15 kg for economy-class passengers
- Proposed Solution
- Establishment of a robust, independent regulator to control airfares and ancillary charges
