NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Centre over the IndiGo crisis which saw hundreds of flight cancellations, and questioned its failure to prevent airlines from increasing their fares to nearly Rs 40,000.
“If there were a crisis, how could other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it go to 35,000 to 39,000? How could other airlines start charging? How can it happen?” Justice Gedela asked.
The sudden rush and demand spike amid the IndiGo chaos led to the doubling and tripling of flight prices, with passengers stranded due to cancellations struggling with last-minute bookings with other airlines. Flights to several foreign cities cost less than many busy domestic routes. Between Mumbai and Delhi, a one-way ticket fare soared up to Rs 35,000 in the economy category – which, usually, a double trip costs up to Rs 20,000, if booked last minute.
The additional solicitor general read out the list of measures taken by the Centre. However, the Delhi High Court said, “They are all taken by you once the crisis erupted. The question is not this. Why at all the situation arise? And what have you been doing?”
The court also questioned the Centre why the pilots were overworked and what action could be taken to prevent it.
The additional solicitor general also told the court that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had sent a show-cause notice to IndiGo – which responded with a “profuse apology”. To this, the court said, while it “appreciates their efforts” in handling the chaos, why such a situation had precipitated in the first place.
