Indian expats in UAE welcome Supreme Court move to regulate airfares

Mangalore Today News Network

Dubai, Aug 18, 2026: Indian expatriates in the UAE and other Gulf countries have welcomed the Supreme Court’s move to regulate airfares, hoping it will ease the financial burden caused by high ticket prices for travel to and from India.

The Supreme Court on August 17 reviewed draft rules prepared by the Centre to address concerns over airfare fluctuations and gave the government three weeks to finalise the rules. The matter will be heard again on September 7.

The development was welcomed by the Pravasi Legal Cell (PLC), which has been pursuing the issue of high and unregulated airfares along with social and legal concerns affecting Indians living abroad.

The case, S. Laxminarayanan vs Union of India and Others, was filed by social activist S. Laxminarayanan, who has sought an independent regulator and clear guidelines to bring greater transparency to India’s civil aviation sector and check unpredictable airfare increases and additional charges.

PLC Dubai president TN Krishnakumar said excessive airfares during peak travel seasons, festivals, school holidays and emergencies have long been a concern for NRIs and migrant workers.

"For many low- and middle-income expatriate workers, the sudden escalation of ticket prices can place an enormous financial burden on their families," he said.

PLC Global President Adv. Jose Abraham described affordable air travel as an issue of "justice, dignity and welfare" for the expatriate community.

He said air travel was not a luxury for millions of Indians living and working abroad but an essential link to their families and homeland. Unreasonable fare increases, particularly during peak seasons and emergencies, place an unfair burden on expatriate workers and their families, he added.

PLC chapters in Oman, Kuwait and other Gulf countries have also welcomed the court’s intervention and supported efforts to ensure fair and reasonable airfares.

The organisation said the issue goes beyond consumer rights, as affordable air connectivity is important to millions of Indian expatriates who depend on air travel to remain connected with their families in India.

PLC said it would continue working with legal professionals and community organisations to seek a transparent and effective mechanism for regulating airfares and protecting ordinary expatriate workers from sudden price increases.