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Business
Supreme Court Hears Petition to Cap Domestic Airfares Ahead of Diwali
✍️ NDTV
🗓 02 Nov 2026, 10:51 PM
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A petition seeking a ceiling on domestic airline tickets, alleging a 700% surge during the Diwali season, was presented before the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of India convened a hearing on a petition that asks for a statutory cap on domestic airfares during the upcoming Diwali travel rush. The petitioner contends that airlines have inflated ticket prices by as much as 700 per cent compared with normal rates, making air travel unaffordable for many holiday‑going passengers.
The filing seeks a temporary ceiling on fares until the festive period ends, arguing that such a measure would protect consumers and ensure equitable access to air transport. It also calls for the regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to intervene and enforce price controls.
The bench listened to the arguments without delivering an immediate ruling, indicating that the matter will be examined further before any directive is issued. The hearing comes at a time when airlines anticipate a surge in bookings, and the outcome could have significant implications for the aviation sector and consumer costs during one of the country's biggest travel seasons.
The filing seeks a temporary ceiling on fares until the festive period ends, arguing that such a measure would protect consumers and ensure equitable access to air transport. It also calls for the regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to intervene and enforce price controls.
The bench listened to the arguments without delivering an immediate ruling, indicating that the matter will be examined further before any directive is issued. The hearing comes at a time when airlines anticipate a surge in bookings, and the outcome could have significant implications for the aviation sector and consumer costs during one of the country's biggest travel seasons.