Court gives Centre three weeks to finalise airfare regulations, addressing a long-standing concern for NRIs.
Dubai: Indian expats in the UAE and across the Gulf have welcomed the Indian Supreme Court’s move towards regulating airfares, saying the initiative could help ease the financial burden of expensive flights to and from India.
The Supreme Court heard the matter on Monday, August 17, and considered draft rules prepared by the government to address concerns over airfare pricing. The judges gave the Centre three weeks to finalise the proposed rules and present them before the court.
Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC), which has been closely involved in pursuing the matter, said the development marks an important step towards protecting the interests of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), migrant workers and the wider expatriate community.
Court’s latest order
According to court documents reviewed by Gulf News, the case concerns W.P.(C) No. 1124/2025 — S. Laxminarayanan vs Union of India and others.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik presented the government’s draft rules to the bench in a sealed envelope. The envelope was opened in court, allowing the judges to review the proposed regulations before returning them to Kaushik.
The government then sought three weeks to finalise the rules. The court granted the request and scheduled the matter for further hearing on September 7.
PLC, led by Global President Adv. Jose Abraham, has been pursuing the issue of high and unregulated airfares alongside other concerns affecting Indians living abroad.
The organisation has also worked closely with the lead petitioner throughout the case.
‘Justice and dignity’
TN Krishnakumar, President of Pravasi Legal Cell Dubai, said the court’s latest move addresses a long-standing concern within the expatriate community.
“Excessive airfares, particularly during peak seasons, festivals, school holidays and emergencies, have long been a concern for NRIs and migrant workers,” he said. “For many low- and middle-income expatriate workers, sudden increases in ticket prices can place a significant financial burden on their families.”
Adv. Jose Abraham described the issue as one of “justice, dignity and welfare” for the expatriate community.
‘Air travel is not a luxury’
“For millions of Indians living and working abroad, air travel is not a luxury — it is an essential link to their families, communities and homeland,” he said. “Unreasonable increases in airfares, particularly during peak seasons and emergencies, place an unfair and disproportionate financial burden on ordinary expatriate workers and their families.”
He added that PLC would continue to support the legal process “until a meaningful and sustainable solution is achieved.”
Beyond airfare
Adv. Jose Abraham said the airfare issue forms part of PLC’s broader efforts to address concerns affecting Indians living and working overseas.
Pravasi Legal Cell, he said, has consistently highlighted issues affecting migrant workers, including their rights, access to justice, labour and social protection, immigration, repatriation and recruitment practices involving Indians abroad.
Gulf chapters react
PLC chapters across the Gulf have also welcomed the court’s move. Jessy from the Oman chapter, Babu Francis from the Kuwait chapter and representatives from other PLC chapters supported the continued push for fair and reasonable airfares.
Chapter heads said the issue extends beyond consumer rights, describing affordable air connectivity as a matter of welfare and social justice for millions of Indian expatriates who depend on air travel to remain connected with their families in India.
Pravasi Legal Cell said it would continue working with its regional chapters, legal professionals and community organisations to raise issues affecting the Indian diaspora before relevant authorities and courts.
The organisation said it hopes the ongoing proceedings will result in a transparent and effective airfare regulation mechanism, particularly one that protects ordinary expatriate workers and their families from sudden and steep increases in ticket prices.
