As IndiGo’s operational crisis entered its fifth consecutive day, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) stepped in with a strong regulatory intervention, directing all airlines to immediately comply with newly prescribed fare caps to prevent further exploitation of passengers affected by mass flight cancellations.
With over 400 IndiGo flights cancelled across major airports on Saturday (December 6), thousands of passengers scrambled for last-minute alternatives — a situation that triggered a sudden spike in ticket prices on competing carriers, including Air India, Akasa Air, Vistara, and others. The ministry noted a pattern of “unusually high airfares” across multiple routes, prompting urgent intervention to protect travellers from opportunistic pricing.
In an official statement, MoCA said it has invoked its regulatory powers to ensure “fair and reasonable fares” across all affected routes. The directive mandates airlines to strictly adhere to the fare ceilings until normal flight operations resume and the travel ecosystem stabilises.
According to the ministry, the temporary fare cap aims to maintain discipline in the market, prevent distress-based exploitation, and shield passengers — especially senior citizens, students and medical travellers — from financial hardship.
The government also confirmed that it will monitor real-time fare data and maintain close coordination with airlines and online travel platforms. Any deviation from the pricing norms will trigger “immediate corrective action.”
With IndiGo still working to restore operations, the ministry’s move is seen as a crucial step to stabilise the aviation sector and ensure that passengers are not penalised for circumstances beyond their control.
