Don't Travel By Air' Supreme Court Refuses Urgent Hearing On Plea Alleging 700% Airfare Hike During Diwali

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to urgently list a plea alleging a nearly 700 per cent hike in airfares, telling the petitioner, "Don't travel by air".

 An advocate mentioned the matter for urgent listing before a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Aparesh Kumar Singh, stating that airfares had increased by 700 per cent. "Don't travel by air," the bench observed.

 Advocate Abhinav for petitioner S Laxminarayanan, represented by advocate Charu Mathur, contended air travel is essential service, hike amounts to violation of Article 14. Plea argued if railways flexifare, essential medicines price, electricity tariff can be capped, air travel can't remain sole exception.

What IA Asked: Filed Oct 30 as interim application in pending PIL  sought direction to govt to frame mechanism to cap domestic fares during festival periods, plus interim cap for current Diwali season and year-end season, and restore free checked baggage to 25kg from present 15kg.

Argued petition next listed Nov 16 by then festive travel for Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Chhath Puja will already be over, hence urgency. Court declined.

Main PIL Still Alive: Seeks robust independent regulator, passenger protection. On July 13, Union directed to place draft rules under Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 in sealed cover. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said administrative approval granted, to be published in 2 weeks. Court earlier noted need for urgent relief: “Try to give some relief to people… On same day, flights to same sector, one airline charges Rs 8,000 while another charges Rs 18,000 for economy.”

 Next regular hearing Nov 16.