The situation escalated earlier this week when IndiGo canceled over 1,500 flights in just four days due to what the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) characterized as “misjudgment and a gap in planning” regarding adherence to the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for crew members.
The rules, introduced in 2024 to combat pilot fatigue, were applied inconsistently, leading to crew shortages that rapidly resulted in widespread delays. Passengers at major airports such as Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Nagpur, Jammu, Pune, and others encountered confusion, lengthy queues, and last-minute cancellations as the airline struggled to maintain its schedule.
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With IndiGo commanding a sizable portion of domestic traffic, its diminished capacity resulted in significant fare increases on routes where alternatives were suddenly scarce. Reports indicated that some competing airlines raised prices dramatically, raising concerns about the exploitation of distressed travelers.
In response to the situation, MoCA announced on December 6 that it had invoked its regulatory powers to ensure “fair and reasonable fares” across all impacted sectors. The Ministry confirmed that an official directive has been issued to airlines mandating adherence to the newly set fare caps, which will be in place until operations stabilize.
The directive aims to protect passengers, particularly senior citizens, students, and those traveling for medical emergencies, from “opportunistic pricing” during this uncertain period. Officials stressed that significant disruptions should not create financial burdens for individuals with essential travel needs.
Also read | IndiGo fiasco eases as flights begin recovering after days of disruption: Delhi Airport
To ensure compliance with the fare controls, the Ministry has implemented a rigorous real-time monitoring system in collaboration with carriers and online booking platforms. Any violation of the capped fares, it warned, will result in “immediate corrective action in the broader public interest.”
MoCA noted that these fare caps are a temporary measure for stabilization and will be reassessed once IndiGo’s operations normalize, a process the airline has indicated may take several more days. For the present, the government hopes this intervention will restore fairness and predictability for passengers affected by the turbulence.
