Dubai: Indian expatriates in the UAE and other Gulf countries have welcomed the Supreme Court’s move to regulate airfares, hoping it will bring relief from steep ticket prices, particularly during peak travel seasons and emergencies.

The Supreme Court on August 17 reviewed draft rules prepared by the Centre to address concerns over airfare pricing and gave the government three weeks to finalise them. The matter will come up for further hearing on September 7.

The case stems from a petition filed by social activist S Laxminarayanan, who has sought greater transparency in India’s civil aviation sector and measures to curb unpredictable fluctuations in airfares and additional charges imposed by airlines.

The petition has received support from the Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC), which has been pursuing the issue on behalf of expatriates and migrant workers. The organisation said the court’s latest order marks an important step towards protecting the interests of Indians living abroad.

Relief for expatriate families

TN Krishnakumar, president of the Pravasi Legal Cell’s Dubai chapter, said high airfares during festivals, school holidays, peak seasons and emergencies have been a persistent concern for Indian expatriates.

“Excessive airfare, particularly during peak seasons, festivals, school holidays and emergencies, has been a long-standing concern for NRIs and migrant workers,” he said.

He pointed out that sudden increases in ticket prices can place a significant financial burden on low- and middle-income expatriate workers and their families.

PLC Global President Adv. Jose Abraham said affordable air travel should be viewed as an issue of welfare and social justice rather than merely a consumer concern.

“For millions of Indians living and working abroad, air travel is not a luxury — it is an essential connection to their families, communities and homeland,” he said.

He added that sharp fare increases during peak periods and emergencies impose an unfair burden on ordinary expatriate workers and their families.

Gulf chapters back move

PLC chapters in several Gulf countries have also welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention. Representatives from Oman, Kuwait and other chapters have supported continued efforts to seek fair and reasonable airfares for Indian expatriates.

Community representatives said affordable air connectivity is particularly important for migrant workers, many of whom travel to India only once or twice a year and often have to pay significantly higher fares during school holidays, festivals and other peak periods.

The organisation said it would continue working with its Gulf chapters, legal professionals and community groups to raise issues affecting the Indian diaspora before government authorities and courts.

The Supreme Court’s intervention has raised hopes among Gulf-based Indians that the proposed regulations could eventually lead to greater transparency in airfare pricing and protect passengers from sudden and excessive fare increases.

The Centre is now expected to finalise the draft rules before returning to the Supreme Court for the next hearing on September 7.