The central government has announced regulated air ticket rates after widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo led to a surge in airfares across other airlines. The move comes as passengers faced significant inconvenience due to mass cancellations and skyrocketing ticket prices.
IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, recently cancelled numerous flights, causing chaos at airports nationwide. The airline’s operational disruptions forced passengers to seek alternative travel options, creating an opportunity for other carriers to significantly increase their fares.
Taking advantage of the crisis, several airlines reportedly raised their ticket prices substantially, prompting government intervention to protect passengers from exploitative pricing.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has now set maximum fare limits based on flight distances to ensure affordable air travel remains accessible to the public.
According to the new pricing structure:
- For flights covering distances up to 500 kilometers, airlines can charge a maximum of Rs. 7,500
- For distances between 500 kilometers to 1,000 kilometers, the ceiling is set at Rs. 12,000
- For routes spanning 1,000 kilometers to 1,500 kilometers, the maximum fare allowed is Rs. 15,000
- For distances exceeding 1,500 kilometers, airlines cannot charge more than Rs. 18,000
The fare caps are expected to provide immediate relief to passengers who have been struggling with inflated ticket prices following the IndiGo cancellations. Many travelers had reported being quoted prices several times higher than normal rates when attempting to book alternative flights.
The government’s decision to regulate airfares comes amid growing concerns about price gouging during operational crises in the aviation sector. Industry observers note that such situations often leave passengers with limited options and vulnerable to excessive pricing.
The regulated pricing structure will remain in effect until the situation stabilizes and normal operations resume across all carriers. Airlines are expected to comply with these directives immediately.
Aviation authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure airlines adhere to the prescribed fare limits and that passengers receive adequate support during this period of disruption.
