Mumbai, Nov. 9 -- India's new civil aviation rules will take effect on January 1, 2027, giving the Centre conditional powers to intervene in airline ticket pricing during extraordinary situations. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026, notified by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, will replace the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
Under Rule 192, the Central Government can issue written directions when intervention is considered necessary in the public interest. Any action must be proportionate to the circumstances and remain in force for a specified period. The provision does not create a permanent fare ceiling or require government approval for every ticket price, and it does not define an extraordinary situation or set a numerical trigger.
The rules require airlines to display the total amount payable on booking platforms and issued tickets. They must separately identify fares, taxes, fees, cancellation charges, refund conditions and other applicable costs. The framework distinguishes government taxes from fees charged by service providers, allowing passengers to assess the final price and booking conditions more clearly.
Airlines will continue to set fares according to operating costs and other commercial considerations, subject to regulatory monitoring. Scheduled domestic operators must submit tariff information to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in the format and at intervals prescribed by the regulator. They must also publish tariffs online, while the DGCA monitors fares established by domestic scheduled airlines.
The new Rule 192 differs from the earlier Rule 135(4), under which the DGCA could issue directions in cases involving excessive or predatory tariffs and oligopolistic practices. The new framework instead uses an exceptional-circumstances and public-interest test. It also consolidates requirements covering aircraft registration, airworthiness, manufacturing, maintenance, operations, airport infrastructure, crew safety, licensing, training and medical fitness under the broader legislative structure established by the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.