Supreme Court Directs Government to Frame Rules under Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024

The Supreme Court of India has issued a significant directive to the Central Government, mandating the submission of draft rules framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, within a two-week timeframe. This judicial intervention stems from ongoing litigation concerning the regulation of the civil aviation sector, specifically targeting the frequent and often arbitrary spikes in airfares and the imposition of opaque ancillary charges by airlines. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, was enacted to modernize the legal framework governing civil aviation in India, replacing archaic colonial-era laws. However, the efficacy of any legislation lies in its subordinate legislation—the rules and regulations that operationalize the Act. The petitioners in the case have argued that in the absence of clear, enforceable rules, passengers remain vulnerable to predatory pricing and lack a robust grievance redressal mechanism. By seeking these draft rules, the Supreme Court is exercising its role in ensuring that the executive branch fulfills its legislative mandate to protect consumer interests in a sector that is vital for economic connectivity and social mobility.