Court grills government over soaring fares, refund delays amid IndiGo cancellations
The Delhi High Court has pulled up the government over the ongoing crisis caused by mass flight cancellations by IndiGo. The bench asked why airlines were permitted to hike fares to ₹35,000–₹39,000 when travel demand spiked — a move critics called opportunistic.
What’s Happening: Chaotic Cancellations and Surge in Fares
- The failure of IndiGo to manage revised crew‑duty norms led to hundreds of flight cancellations across India.
- With many flights cancelled, passengers scrambled for alternatives — allowing other airlines to raise fares sharply. Tickets for busy routes like Delhi–Mumbai reportedly jumped to ₹35,000–₹39,000.
- The court asked why the fare surge was allowed and why there was no prior mechanism to prevent such “opportunistic pricing.”
Government and Regulator Action
- The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have imposed temporary fare caps on domestic economy‑class flights:
- ≤ 500 km: ₹7,500
- 500–1,000 km: ₹12,000
- 1,000–1,500 km: ₹15,000
- 1,500 km: ₹18,000
- Authorities ordered IndiGo to complete all pending refunds and set up support cells for passengers. Airlines were instructed to trace and return delayed or lost baggage within 48 hours.
- Slots freed by reducing IndiGo’s schedule (by 5%) are to be re‑allocated to other carriers, easing pressure on the aviation network.
What the Court Has Asked from Centre & Regulators
| Question / Concern | Raised By / Why |
|---|---|
| How could fares surge so high — ₹35,000‑₹39,000 — amid a crisis? | Court observed price exploitation during mass flight cancellations. |
| What stopped authorities from capping fares before the escalation? | Court asked why there was no preventative mechanism when such disruptions were foreseeable. |
| Why were pilots over‑worked leading to cancellations? | Court asked about compliance with crew duty‑time norms that allegedly triggered the crisis. |
| What compensation or support was ensured for stranded passengers? | Court demanded clarity on refunds, baggage return, re‑booking and passenger welfare. |
What Passengers Should Know (According to Current Orders)
- If your flight was cancelled/delayed by IndiGo, you are entitled to a full refund or free re‑booking.
- You should not be forced to pay inflated fares by other airlines — regulated fare caps apply for economy flights.
- Airlines are required to restore delayed baggage within 48 hours or provide alternative recourse.
- If you face denial of refund, unfair re‑booking, or excessive fare charges — you can raise complaint at DGCA or consider legal routes.
Conclusion
The crisis around IndiGo has exposed structural weaknesses in India’s aviation oversight — from crew‑duty compliance to surge pricing safeguards. The Delhi High Court’s strong questioning aims to hold both regulators and airlines accountable for passenger hardship.
For passengers, this translates into rights: fair fares, timely refunds, protection from reckless price hikes, and better enforcement of aviation rules.
Also Read : What Flyers Should Know After IndiGo’s Recent Flight Chaos
