Publish aviation rules in 7 days or ground non-compliant flights: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Centre to publish the draft rules under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 within seven days, warning that airlines failing to comply would be grounded. The court was hearing a plea by activist S Laxminarayanan seeking a robust regulator and transparent airfares.

The Centre, through Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik, told a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta that the rules were being fast-tracked and would be finalised in three weeks. The bench, however, directed immediate publication of the draft, saying, 'If airlines are not complying, ground them.'

The petitioner's counsel argued that airlines charge exorbitant fares and that the government has said it cannot cap airfares. The court had earlier flagged 'unpredictable fluctuations' in airfares during festivals as 'exploitation'. The matter will be heard next on September 7.