In response to widespread flight cancellations and soaring ticket prices stemming from operational disruptions at IndiGo, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has stepped in to regulate fares and demand the airline restore normalcy within two days. The ministry's intervention follows days of chaos for travelers, with IndiGo canceling hundreds of flights, leading to significant inconvenience and crowding at airports.
The disruptions, reportedly triggered by crew shortages due to scheduling issues and absenteeism, have resulted in a dramatic surge in airfares on key domestic routes. Passengers reported fares reaching exorbitant levels, with some routes showing prices as high as ₹70,000 as travelers scrambled to rebook flights. For instance, a Delhi to Bengaluru flight which normally costs ₹20,000-₹25,000 reached approximately ₹40,000 and a Bengaluru to Delhi flight climbed to nearly ₹70,000. The Ministry described the surge as "opportunistic pricing" and has invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes.
To prevent further exploitation of passengers, the MoCA has imposed temporary fare caps on domestic flights, setting maximum fares based on route distance. According to the order issued on Friday, airlines will not be permitted to charge passengers more than the ceiling fares specified for different stage lengths. The maximum fares notified are ₹7,500 for routes up to 500 km, ₹12,000 for 500–1,000 km, ₹15,000 for 1,000–1,500 km, and ₹18,000 for routes above 1,500 km. These limits are exclusive of UDF (user development fee), PSF (passenger service fee) and taxes, and do not apply to Business Class or RCS-UDAN flights. The ministry has mandated strict adherence to the fare caps, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) monitoring compliance. These caps will remain in force until flight operations return to normal and disruption patterns ease.
In addition to imposing fare caps, the MoCA has directed IndiGo to restore full operations within two days. The ministry has also ordered IndiGo to clear all pending 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.” The government has also ordered a high-level inquiry into the disruption to determine the operational lapses that led to the cancellations and fare spikes.
The government has emphasized that it will not tolerate abnormal fare escalation and is committed to preventing opportunistic behavior by airlines. The ministry indicated that airfare data would be reviewed daily to prevent airlines from taking advantage of stranded passengers. Any deviation from the prescribed limits would trigger immediate corrective action in the larger public interest. The MoCA has stated the decision was taken to safeguard passengers and ensure that citizens who urgently need to travel, including senior citizens, students, and patients, are not subjected to financial hardship during this period.
