The central government, on Saturday, addressed concerns over soaring airfares charged by some airlines amid IndiGo’s ongoing operational crisis. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has invoked its regulatory authority to ensure fares remain fair and reasonable on all affected routes, preventing airlines from taking advantage of passengers during the disruption.
An official directive instructs airlines to strictly adhere to newly prescribed fare caps, which will remain in effect until operations stabilise. The move aims to maintain pricing discipline, protect travellers—including senior citizens, students, and patients—from financial strain, and curb opportunistic practices.
The ministry will actively monitor fares in real time, coordinating with airlines and travel platforms. Any breach of the norms will prompt immediate corrective measures in the public interest.
IndiGo has been facing a severe operational crisis, with over 1,000 flight cancellations reported on Friday. The situation improved slightly on Saturday, though more than 440 flights were still cancelled, leaving major airports like Delhi’s IGI, Mumbai’s CSIA, and Bengaluru’s Kempegowda overwhelmed. Passengers experienced long queues, extended delays, and limited information, highlighting the scale of the disruption across India’s key metro airports.
