On January 19, 2026, the Supreme Court called out private airlines for steep, unpredictable hikes in ticket prices during festivals and busy travel periods. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said these fare spikes are “exploitative.” The court was hearing a public interest petition demanding clear rules to regulate airline pricing and extra charges. Justice Sandeep Mehta pointed to huge fare jumps during religious events. "We will definitely interfere. Just see the exploitation of passengers during the Kumbh and other festivals. Look at the fares from Delhi to Prayagraj and Jodhpur — they are three times the normal fare," he said to Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik, representing the Centre. The petition was filed by social activist S. Laxminarayanan and calls for an independent body to ensure pricing transparency and protect passengers. The court asked the government and related aviation authorities for replies. On Monday, the Centre asked for more time to respond, and the court set the next hearing for February 23. In a lighter moment, Justice Mehta joked to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that airfare to Ahmedabad stayed stable but soared to places like Jodhpur. The petition described airline practices like sudden price spikes, fewer flights, poor complaint handling, and hidden fees as violating passengers’ rights to equality and freedom of movement. It said the government has failed its constitutional duty to regulate these issues. Without rules to cap fares or charges, airlines exploit travellers, especially poor passengers forced to buy expensive tickets during peak periods. The plea stressed that fair access to emergency air travel is part of the right to human dignity, and sudden fare increases in emergencies hurt vulnerable citizens. This case signals the court’s readiness to step in and protect air travellers from unfair cost hikes.