New Delhi, Dec 6 (UNI) The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Saturday invoked measures to cap air fares after an unprecedented price increase by airlines taking advantage of more than 2000 flight cancellations since Tuesday.
In a statement the Ministry said, the government has taken serious note of rising concerns over unusually high airfares charged by certain carriers amid ongoing operational disruptions, and was invoking its regulatory powers to enforce fair and reasonable pricing across all affected routes.
“In order to protect passengers from any form of opportunistic pricing, the Ministry has invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes,” the statement said.
This came after chaotic scenes in airports across the country as frantic passengers tried to deal with the combined effect of flight delays, flight cancellations and unexplained fare increases including rescheduling charges.
In its directive issued to all airlines, the government mandated strict adherence to newly prescribed fare caps, which will remain in effect until flight operations fully stabilise.
Officials said the move is intended to curb opportunistic pricing, maintain market discipline, and protect passengers, including senior citizens, students, and patients, from financial distress during a period when many urgently need to travel.
The ministry added that it will monitor fare levels in real time, coordinating with airlines and online travel platforms, and warned that any deviation from the norms will invite swift corrective action.
The disruptions since Tuesday have left passengers across major hubs, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata, confronting hours-long delays and sharply rising fares. More than 2,000 flights have been cancelled through the week.
As a result of the fewer numbers of flight connecting domestic routes, fares have shot up to 4-5 times normal rates.
The cheapest non-Indigo economy class flights to Mumbai from Delhi for Sunday was selling for over Rs 22,000, while Indigo whose flights were grappling with most delays and cancellations were selling at the lower end for over Rs 14,000.
In a separate set of instructions, the government also ordered IndiGo to clear all pending passenger refunds by 8 pm on Sunday, December 7, 2025, following widespread disruptions caused by cancellations and delays.
Airlines have also been barred from levying rescheduling charges on travelers whose itineraries were affected. The ministry cautioned that any delay or non-compliance in processing refunds would result in immediate regulatory action.
To ease the strain on affected passengers, IndiGo has been instructed to establish dedicated support and refund facilitation cells that will proactively contact travelers, process automatic refunds, and arrange alternate transport without requiring multiple follow-ups.
These measures will remain in place until operations return to normal. The government also directed the airline to trace and deliver all baggage separated from passengers within 48 hours, maintaining clear communication about tracking and delivery timelines and providing compensation where required under India’s passenger rights regulations.
Officials emphasised that the government’s “zero-inconvenience” approach remains in force, with continuous coordination underway among airlines, airports, and security agencies to safeguard passenger rights during the disruption.
Oversight has been strengthened to ensure proper assistance for vulnerable groups, including senior citizens, people with disabilities, students, and patients. The ministry said it continues to monitor the recovery process closely and remains committed to restoring full operational normalcy as swiftly as possible.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday had accepted Indigo’s request for relaxation in rules related to pilot night duty after a large number of the airline’s domestic flights were cancelled.
In the approval issued by the DGCA stated that Indigo has been granted exemption from two provisions of the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) until February 10, 2026.
Airlines argued that the sudden change, introduced during the peak winter schedule, exacerbated existing crew shortages and destabilised rosters nationwide.
