'Don't travel by air. Next case': SC judge on plea alleging 700% airfare hike

The court did not take up the plea at that stage and proceeded to the next matter.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday responded sharply to a plea highlighting a steep surge in airfares, with Justice Vikram Nath telling the counsel, “Don’t travel by air. Next case,” before moving on to the next matter.The exchange took place when the counsel mentioned the plea before the court, claiming that airfares had increased by as much as 700 per cent. Arguing that air travel was an essential service, the counsel said the steep rise in ticket prices amounted to a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.“The airfares have increased to 700%. It is an essential service. Violation of Article 14,” the counsel submitted, according to Live Law.Justice Nath responded, “Don’t travel by air. Next case.”The court did not take up the plea at that stage and proceeded to the next matter. No order was passed on the submission.Meanwhile, India has adopted new airfare rules where government will not interfere in the process except “in an extraordinary situation (where) it considers it necessary to do so in the public interest.” Notified under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026, which will be applicable from Jan 1, 2027, government has continued its policy of letting market forces determine airfares without government interference.

TOI reported on Oct 17 that India has no plans to regulate or cap airfares in the free market under which airlines here operate under the new airfare policy being finalised. However, it will keep a “strong lever” on airlines to ensure they don’t resort to very sharp surges in “exceptional and extraordinary circumstances” that see demand rising for certain routes.