Indian government caps airfares amid IndiGo chaos

NEW DELHI: The Indian government on Saturday invoked regulatory powers and announced a cap on fares to curb rising airline ticket prices amid IndiGo’s operational chaos, which has led to mass flight cancellations and soaring airfares.

The federal civil aviation ministry issued a directive to all airlines mandating strict adherence to the prescribed fare caps to protect passengers from any form of willful pricing.

The ministry said it will continue to closely monitor fare levels through real‑time data and active coordination with airlines and online travel platforms.

In a separate statement, the ministry said it has directed IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, to clear all passenger refunds without delay.

The operational crisis at IndiGo was caused by a shortage of pilots and cabin crew following the introduction of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules that mandate longer rest periods for staff. IndiGo has admitted to misjudging the number of pilots it needed under the new FDTL rules.

The Indian government has ordered an investigation into IndiGo’s “mismanagement” and said a committee has been constituted to determine responsibility for the breakdown.

By RSS/Xinhua