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New Delhi, India: The Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Government to place before it, within two weeks, the draft rules framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, as it continues hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking stronger regulation of India's civil aviation sector, including safeguards against arbitrary airfare hikes and increasing ancillary charges imposed by airlines. The court has asked the Centre to submit the proposed rules in a sealed cover, even if they have not yet been laid before Parliament, and has listed the matter for further hearing on August 3, 2026. The matter is being heard by a Bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, which has repeatedly expressed concern over the lack of regulatory oversight governing airfare pricing and passenger charges. During earlier hearings, the Bench observed that passengers flying on the same route on the same day often pay vastly different fares despite receiving the same service, raising questions over the transparency and fairness of airline pricing practices. The judges also highlighted the sharp surge in ticket prices during festivals, holidays and emergencies, describing such increases as a matter requiring regulatory attention. The PIL has been filed by social activist S. Laxminarayanan, represented by senior advocate Ravindra Srivastava, seeking comprehensive reforms to strengthen passenger rights. The petition calls for the establishment of an independent civil aviation regulator with powers to oversee airfare pricing, ensure transparency in dynamic pricing mechanisms, regulate ancillary charges and provide effective consumer protection across the aviation sector. According to the petitioner, while rules already existed under the Aircraft Act, 1937, inadequate implementation and enforcement allowed airlines to continue imposing arbitrary pricing and additional passenger fees. Apart from challenging unpredictable airfare fluctuations, the petition also targets airline baggage policies. It argues that many airlines have gradually reduced the complimentary checked baggage allowance for economy-class passengers from 25 kilograms to 15 kilograms, while simultaneously limiting travellers to a single checked bag. The plea contends that these changes effectively compel passengers to pay additional baggage fees without any corresponding reduction in ticket prices, amounting to an exploitative practice that has become a significant source of ancillary revenue for airlines. It further alleges that passengers are increasingly being charged separately for services that were previously included in the airfare. The Centre informed the Supreme Court that the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 came into force in January 2025 and that the corresponding rules are presently under consultation and translation before being formally placed before Parliament. While acknowledging the concerns raised in the petition, the government stated that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is actively examining the issues relating to airfare regulation and passenger protection under the new legal framework. The court, however, directed the government to place the draft rules before it within two weeks so they can be examined during the ongoing proceedings. The litigation has been pending before the apex court for several months. On November 17, 2025, the Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and other stakeholders after admitting the petition. During a hearing on January 19, 2026, the Bench observed that it would examine the issue of "unpredictable fluctuations" in airfares, particularly the steep increases witnessed during festive seasons. Subsequently, on May 15, 2026, the court remarked that there should be some rationalisation of airfares and questioned why airlines operating on the same route charge substantially different fares on the same day. At that stage, it also asked the Centre to explore measures that could provide relief to air travellers. The latest order marks another significant step in the Supreme Court's scrutiny of airline pricing practices and passenger rights. The court is expected to examine the finalized draft rules during the next hearing on August 3, when it will consider whether the new regulatory framework under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam adequately addresses concerns surrounding airfare transparency, ancillary charges, baggage policies and consumer protection in India's rapidly expanding aviation sector.

India’s Supreme Court Seeks Draft Rules Amid Scrutiny Of Airline Airfare Practices

Aviation Today News Desk / July 14, 2026

New Delhi, India: The Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Government to place before it, within two weeks, […]

Incidents

61-Year-Old Passenger Arrested Over Alleged In-Flight Groping On Florida-Bound Flight

Aviation Today News Desk / May 19, 2026

Key West, United States: An Oregon man was arrested in Florida after allegedly groping a female passenger during a commercial

Nashville, United States: A 25-year-old male passenger was arrested at Nashville International Airport after allegedly inappropriately touching a minor onboard a commercial flight, according to authorities. The incident occurred on April 4, 2026, with airport police responding to a possible sexual assault call at Gate C24 around 6:30 PM, shortly after the aircraft arrived. According to an arrest affidavit, the alleged victim, a 14-year-old girl, told authorities she was asleep during the flight when she felt the accused passenger touching her leg. The suspect, identified as Brandon Starr, allegedly continued moving his hand further up her leg as she pretended to remain asleep out of fear. The girl eventually began crying, which alerted the cabin crew. Flight attendants intervened and contacted authorities, triggering a police response upon arrival at the gate. Airport officers who boarded the aircraft described the teenager as “visibly distraught and crying” when they made contact. Based on her statement and condition, police detained Starr at the gate immediately after landing and took him into custody. The accused was charged with misdemeanor assault and was later released after posting bail. He is scheduled to appear in court following the incident. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the airline, flight number, or route of the aircraft involved. However, the incident occurred onboard a flight arriving at Nashville, one of the busiest airports in Tennessee.

Incidents

Passenger Arrested At Nashville Airport After Alleged Mid-Air Assault On Teen Girl

Aviation Today News Desk / April 8, 2026

Nashville, United States: A 25-year-old male passenger was arrested at Nashville International Airport after allegedly inappropriately touching a minor onboard

India

Govt Puts 60% No-Fee Seat Selection Rule On Hold Amid Airline Revenue Concerns

Aviation Today News Desk / April 3, 2026

New Delhi, India: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has placed on hold its directive requiring airlines to offer at least

India

Govt Removes Fare Caps As Airlines Oppose 60% Seats Free Of Selection Charges

Aviation Today News Desk / March 24, 2026

New Delhi, India: A policy push by the government to strengthen passenger rights and enforce fare transparency has triggered sharp

India

India Revises Airline Refund Rules, Introduces 48-Hour Free Cancellation Window

Aviation Today News Desk / February 27, 2026

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has formally amended India’s Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) governing airline

Frankfurt, Germany: Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa was forced to cancel nearly 800 flights on Thursday after pilots and cabin crew staged coordinated industrial action, disrupting travel for around 100,000 passengers . The 24-hour strike began shortly after midnight on Thursday, February 12, and affected most Lufthansa-operated services, particularly at its main hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, where departure boards showed widespread cancellations throughout the day. According to multiple industry reports, Lufthansa removed approximately 800 flights from its schedule, representing more than half of its planned daily operations. The airline said the walkout caused significant disruption to both short-haul and long-haul services, including intercontinental departures. Lufthansa confirmed that about 100,000 passengers were impacted by the cancellations. The airline implemented large-scale rebooking measures, transferring travellers to partner airlines within the Lufthansa Group including Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines as well as offering rail alternatives within Germany in cooperation with Deutsche Bahn. Passengers were advised not to travel to the airport unless they had received confirmation that their flight was operating. Lufthansa also stated that customers whose flights were cancelled were eligible for full refunds or rebooking at no extra cost. Under European passenger rights rules, affected travellers may also be entitled to compensation ranging from €250 to €600, as airline staff strikes are generally not classified as extraordinary circumstances. The strike was triggered by parallel disputes involving two major unions: Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), representing pilots, over disagreements related to pension schemes and retirement benefits. UFO (Unabhängige Flugbegleiter Organisation), representing cabin crew, over job security, working conditions and collective agreements, including concerns linked to Lufthansa’s regional subsidiary operations. The strike was driven by unresolved labour disputes between staff unions and Lufthansa management, the main issues were pension benefits, job security and stalled contract negotiations. Union leaders said negotiations with Lufthansa management had stalled after months of talks, prompting the one-day walkout. Lufthansa management described the action as “disproportionate and unnecessary”, warning that the disruption would affect not only passengers but also Germany’s wider aviation network during a high-demand travel period. As of Friday, February 13, Lufthansa spokesperson confirmed that the strike had ended as scheduled, and that flight operations were largely returning to normal. No further industrial action has been announced at this stage. The airline said most services were operating according to schedule on Friday, although minor residual delays and isolated cancellations remained possible due to aircraft and crew repositioning. The disruption coincided with a busy week in Germany, with international travel demand elevated due to major events such as the Munich Security Conference and the opening of the Berlin International Film Festival, amplifying the impact on business and diplomatic travel. Lufthansa operates more than 700 aircraft and carries over 100 million passengers annually, making it one of Europe’s largest airline groups. The strike represents one of the most significant single-day disruptions to its operations in recent years.

Airlines

Lufthansa Cancels 800 Flights as Pilot, Cabin Crew Strike Hits 100,000 Passengers

Aviation Today News Desk / February 13, 2026

Frankfurt, Germany: Germany’s flagship carrier Lufthansa was forced to cancel nearly 800 flights on Thursday after pilots and cabin crew

Pune, India: A morning flight operated by Akasa Air from Pune to Bengaluru was significantly delayed on Tuesday after a last-minute technical issue was detected in the aircraft, leading the airline to deplane all passengers and reschedule the service. The Bengaluru-bound flight QP1312, scheduled to depart Pune at 8:50 am, had completed boarding by around 8:10 am when crew members identified a fault in the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft just before departure. Passengers remained seated on board for nearly 90 minutes before airline staff asked them to disembark as a precaution and to carry out further technical checks. In a communication to passengers, Akasa Air stated that the flight had been delayed due to operational reasons and provided a revised departure time of 1:15 pm. The airline also confirmed that the aircraft was undergoing inspection before it could be cleared for take-off. An Akasa Air spokesperson said that affected passengers were offered options to reschedule on an alternative evening flight, and that the refund process had been initiated for those who chose not to travel. Ground staff and Akasa Care teams remained available at Pune Airport to assist travellers. One passenger, who spoke to news agency PTI, confirmed that the flight was held up on the tarmac after a technical issue was reported and that all on board were asked to leave the aircraft once the problem was identified. No further details about the specific nature of the technical issue were provided publicly by the airline at the time of reporting. Akasa Air reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and said it regretted the inconvenience caused by the unforeseen delay.

Incidents

Akasa Air Pune–Bengaluru Flight QP1312 Face 4-Hour Delay After Technical Issue

Aviation Today News Desk / January 14, 2026

Pune, India: A morning flight operated by Akasa Air from Pune to Bengaluru was significantly delayed on Tuesday after a

London, United Kingdom: TUI Airways has been identified as the least punctual airline operating in the United Kingdom in 2025, according to newly released industry data that highlights persistent reliability challenges across parts of the nation’s aviation sector. Analysis by air travel analytics firm AirAdvisor which tracks on‑time performance on thousands of flights found that only 57 per cent of TUI’s services took off and landed within 15 minutes of their scheduled times, placing it at the bottom of the UK punctuality rankings. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) defines a flight as on‑time if it departs or arrives within that 15‑minute window. Despite improving slightly from earlier months in 2025 when punctuality figures dipped below 50 per cent TUI’s on‑time performance remains markedly lower than competitors, according to AirAdvisor’s data. The report underlines growing frustration among travellers, with anecdotal accounts from affected passengers pointing to extended delays and consequential disruptions to holiday plans. A separate travel‑industry news release also underscored the negative impact extended delays can have on the UK’s broader travel and tourism sectors. TUI does not stand alone. Other carriers notably Wizz Air, Ryanair and easyJet have also grappled with punctuality issues at various points in 2025, with data collected earlier in the year showing several budget and short‑haul operators frequently appearing near the top of UK delay charts. Earlier industry reports covering 2024 and into 2025 have alternately highlighted different carriers as delay outliers depending on the dataset and timeframe analysed. In mid‑2025, Wizz Air and Blue Islands were both flagged in separate CAA punctuality reports as among the least punctual airlines during specific quarters Separately, analysis of UK airport performance shows that broader operational disruptions including air traffic control staffing shortages and weather‑related flight delays continue to contribute to schedule reliability challenges across the system, affecting multiple major carriers. TUI has previously defended its operational performance in response to delayed rankings, pointing to fluctuations in travel demand, staffing bottlenecks and evolving scheduling pressures across peak summer and winter seasons. Industry sources indicate the airline is implementing recovery measures aimed at improving punctuality and customer communications, though detailed public comments on the latest rankings remain limited. Under UK and EU passenger rights regulations (UK 261), travellers affected by significant delays may be entitled to compensation, depending on the length of delay and cause provided airlines cannot demonstrate extraordinary circumstances. Consumer groups continue to urge clearer communication and streamlined claims processes in light of rising disruption.

Airlines

TUI Named UK’s Worst Airline For 2025 Delays As Flight Punctuality Drops Sharply

Aviation Today News Desk / December 20, 2025

London, United Kingdom: TUI Airways has been identified as the least punctual airline operating in the United Kingdom in 2025,

Beijing, China: A Beijing court has delivered a significant legal ruling in one of the longest-running civil matters connected to the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, ordering the airline to pay compensation to the families of eight passengers more than 11 years after the aircraft vanished. On 8 March 2014, Flight MH370, a Boeing 777 operating from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, disappeared from radar just under an hour after take-off with 239 people on board. Despite extensive international search efforts in the southern Indian Ocean and intermittent private expeditions, the main wreckage of the aircraft has never been found and the cause of its disappearance remains unresolved. The Chaoyang District People’s Court in Beijing ruled that Malaysia Airlines must pay 2.9 million yuan (approximately US$410,000) to each of the eight families whose relatives were aboard the flight and have now been legally declared dead. The compensation is intended to cover funeral expenses, emotional distress, and other financial losses, according to the court statement. This judgment represents the first formal Chinese court decision awarding damages in MH370-related litigation. A spokesman for the court said that 47 other cases were withdrawn after the families reached out-of-court settlements with Malaysia Airlines and its international arm, while 23 cases remain pending in the Chinese legal system. Most of the passengers on MH370 were Chinese nationals, giving Chinese courts jurisdiction over compensation claims under international air law and domestic regulations. Under the Montreal Convention, airlines are liable for proven damages in international air transport, with additional court proceedings often required to quantify emotional and non-economic damage. Malaysia Airlines has not publicly commented on the ruling at the time of publication. The compensation ruling comes as renewed interest and activity surrounds the ongoing search for MH370’s wreckage. Malaysian authorities have announced plans to restart a seabed search operation at the end of December 2025, focusing on a designated area of the Indian Ocean informed by the latest data and analysis from marine robotics firm Ocean Infinity operating under a “no-find, no-fee” contract. This new search phase underscores the enduring quest for answers from families and aviation experts nearly a decade and a half after the disappearance of the flight, one of the most enduring mysteries in modern aviation history.

Investigation

Beijing Court Orders Malaysia Airlines To Pay 2.9M Yuan To Families Of MH370 Victims

Aviation Today News Desk / December 16, 2025

Beijing, China: A Beijing court has delivered a significant legal ruling in one of the longest-running civil matters connected to

Passenger Rights

India’s Supreme Court Seeks Draft Rules Amid Scrutiny Of Airline Airfare Practices

61-Year-Old Passenger Arrested Over Alleged In-Flight Groping On Florida-Bound Flight

Passenger Arrested At Nashville Airport After Alleged Mid-Air Assault On Teen Girl

Govt Puts 60% No-Fee Seat Selection Rule On Hold Amid Airline Revenue Concerns

Govt Removes Fare Caps As Airlines Oppose 60% Seats Free Of Selection Charges

India Revises Airline Refund Rules, Introduces 48-Hour Free Cancellation Window

Lufthansa Cancels 800 Flights as Pilot, Cabin Crew Strike Hits 100,000 Passengers

Akasa Air Pune–Bengaluru Flight QP1312 Face 4-Hour Delay After Technical Issue

TUI Named UK’s Worst Airline For 2025 Delays As Flight Punctuality Drops Sharply

Beijing Court Orders Malaysia Airlines To Pay 2.9M Yuan To Families Of MH370 Victims

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