Overview
- A two-judge bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta termed festival-time fare surges as exploitation and said it would definitely interfere.
- The bench directed the Centre and the aviation regulator to file replies to a public interest plea on unpredictable ticket prices and ancillary charges by private airlines.
- The case was listed for further hearing on February 23 after the government sought time to respond.
- The petition by activist S Laxminarayanan seeks binding guidelines and an independent regulator to ensure transparency and passenger protection in civil aviation.
- The plea alleges airlines cut free economy baggage allowance to 15 kg and that no authority can review or cap fares or fees, disproportionately hurting poorer and last-minute travellers.