New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to grant an urgent hearing on a petition alleging an extraordinary rise in domestic airfares, with the petitioner claiming ticket prices had increased by nearly 700 percent. The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath, Sandeep Mehta and Aparesh Kumar Singh, where an advocate sought immediate listing of the plea, arguing that soaring airfare had become a serious concern for passengers. Responding to the request, the bench remarked, “Don’t travel by air,” while refusing to treat the matter as one requiring urgent intervention.

During the brief exchange, the petitioner’s counsel argued that air travel has become an essential service for many citizens and that such a steep increase in ticket prices amounted to a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law. The plea highlighted concerns over unpredictable fare hikes by private airlines, particularly during periods of high demand, and sought judicial intervention to address what it described as unfair pricing practices affecting ordinary passengers across the country.

The issue is already under consideration before the Supreme Court in a separate petition seeking stronger regulation of India’s civil aviation sector and measures to curb unpredictable fluctuations in airfares. During an earlier hearing, the Central Government informed the court that rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, aimed at modernising aviation regulation, had received administrative approval and were expected to be notified soon. The apex court has directed the Centre to place the notified rules before it during the next hearing scheduled for November 16, while reiterating its concern over excessive airfare increases, particularly during festive seasons, which it had earlier described as a form of passenger exploitation.