India, May 12 -- The Union government has urged the Supreme Court to refrain from continuing its monitoring of a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging volatile airfares and airline charges, stating that a comprehensive statutory rule-making exercise is already underway and that the Centre is attempting to fast-track the process in light of the "emerging scenario".

In an affidavit filed before a bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) maintained that the broader issues raised in the petition, including surge pricing during festivals and holidays, baggage charges and algorithm-driven fare fluctuations, are under active consideration as part of the framing of new aviation rule...