SC Flags 'Exploitative' Airfare Surge During Festivals, Vows Intervention

• The Supreme Court expressed serious concerns over airlines' 'exploitative' surge in air ticket prices during festivals and high-demand periods.
• Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta called the exorbitant fare hikes an 'exploitation' and stated the court 'will definitely interfere'.
• The bench asked the Centre and DGCA to respond to a PIL seeking binding regulatory guidelines to control unpredictable airfare fluctuations.
• The PIL, filed by S Laxminarayanan, also highlights issues like reduced free baggage allowance and lack of an independent regulator.
• The plea argues that unregulated airline conduct infringes on citizens' fundamental rights and calls for urgent judicial intervention.

Why It Matters: Supreme Court vows to intervene against 'exploitative' airfare surges during festivals, seeking Centre's response.