NEW DELHI: The Civil Aviation Ministry on Saturday announced capping of airfares to control the surge in airline ticket prices following the massive delay and cancellation of all domestic flights of IndiGo.
In a statement, the ministry said that it took serious note of concerns regarding the unusually high airfares being charged by certain airlines during the ongoing disruption. “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.
“An official directive has been issued to all airlines mandating strict adherence to the fare caps that have now been prescribed. These caps will remain in force until the situation fully stabilises. The objective of this directive is to maintain pricing discipline in the market, prevent any exploitation of passengers in distress, and ensure that citizens who urgently need to travel — including senior citizens, students, and patients — are not subjected to financial hardship during this period,” it added.
The ministry also said it would continue to closely monitor fare levels through real-time data and would actively coordinate with airlines and online travel platforms.
In a separate statement, the ministry said that it directed IndiGo to clear all passenger refunds without delay. “The Ministry has mandated that the refund process for all cancelled or disrupted flights must be fully completed by 8:00 PM on Sunday, 7 December 2025. Airlines have also been instructed not to levy any rescheduling charges for passengers whose travel plans were affected by cancellations,” the statement said.
Hundreds Of IndiGo Flights Cancelled Today
Earlier in the day, hundreds of domestic flights of IndiGo were cancelled as the massive crisis surrounding the airline entered the fifth day. Operating 2,300 flights daily with a fleet of over 400 aircraft, IndiGo has seen its punctuality plummet with the operational disruptions that are expected to continue for many more days. The current crisis was primarily caused by a shortage of pilots that was not anticipated due to planning deficiencies, and the authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation.
