June 17, 2026 at 03:07 AM 2 min readindiadeveloping
Bombay HC Restrains Brand Use; Air India Launches Basic Fare Tier
Trademark and Aviation Updates:
India's corporate and aviation sectors see significant developments, as the Bombay High Court has upheld a restriction on Express Publications (Madurai) regarding the use of the The New Indian Express brand outside permitted territories. Concurrently, Air India has introduced an optional basic fare category on select domestic routes, removing complimentary meals to cater to price-conscious travelers.
Legal and Operational Shifts:
The court ruling stems from a long-standing trademark dispute following the 1991 settlement of the Indian Express Group, with judges confirming the limited proprietary rights of the publication. Meanwhile, Air India's move to offer unbundled fares follows industry trends toward tiered service models, providing passengers with 15 kg checked baggage and 7 kg cabin baggage allowance without full meal services.
Strategic Implications:
The court's decision reinforces strict territorial enforcement for legacy media brands, preventing potential dilution of the Indian Express trademark. Air India’s pilot program aims to compete in the low-cost segment, with management planning to evaluate customer feedback to determine the long-term viability of the unbundled fare structure.
Pulse Intelligence
AI AnalysisContext & Background
- The Indian Express Group has been involved in internal settlement agreements regarding trademark use for decades.
- Air India has been actively restructuring its service offerings and fare families to improve profitability since its acquisition.
- Domestic aviation competition in India has intensified, leading airlines to experiment with unbundled, low-cost fare options.
Key Consequences
- Express Publications (Madurai) will be limited in its promotional events outside southern regions for the duration of the litigation.
- Air India passengers will gain more price-flexible options, potentially impacting demand for other low-cost domestic carriers.
- The aviation industry may see a wider adoption of unbundled 'basic' fares if Air India's pilot program proves successful.
Market & Economic Impact
No direct market impact.