New Delhi, Dec 06 The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Saturday invoked its regulatory powers to cap airfares on all routes affected by IndiGo’s ongoing operational crisis, ensuring that passengers are not subjected to unreasonable ticket prices.
In a formal directive issued to all airlines, the ministry ordered strict compliance with the newly prescribed fare caps, which will remain in effect until the aviation situation stabilises.
“The Ministry will continue to monitor fare levels in real time through active coordination with airlines and online travel platforms. Any deviation from the prescribed norms will attract immediate corrective action,” the statement said.
The intervention came after airfares on several major routes skyrocketed following widespread IndiGo cancellations. The sudden grounding of aircraft led to a shortage of seats and a steep rise in last-minute airfares across India.
On Friday, Delhi–Mumbai fares on Air India surged to ₹60,000, while on the Chennai–Delhi route, Air India Express prices touched ₹41,000. SpiceJet fares went as high as ₹69,000, alarming both travellers and officials.
The ministry said it has taken “serious note” of such unusually high fares, stressing the need to prevent opportunistic pricing during a period of disruption. The directive aims to enforce pricing discipline, protect vulnerable travellers, and prevent financial strain on those requiring urgent travel, including senior citizens, students, and medical patients.
Meanwhile, the impact of IndiGo’s crisis continued on Saturday as the airline cancelled over 400 domestic flights for the fifth straight day. In response to the surge in passenger demand, Indian Railways deployed additional coaches across multiple trains to accommodate stranded travellers.
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