Delhi High Court Questions Government Over IndiGo Flight Crisis and Fare Surge

Economic Times
Economic Times
14h ago • 2 views
The Delhi High Court questioned the government about IndiGo flight cancellations causing a surge in airfares, leading to economic losses and passenger distress.
Delhi High Court Questions Government Over IndiGo Flight Crisis and Fare Surge
A What happened
The Delhi High Court on December 10, 2025, raised serious questions regarding the government's handling of the IndiGo flight cancellation crisis. It criticized the government for allowing the situation to deteriorate, resulting in severe disruptions, passenger distress, and a surge in fares charged by other airlines from ₹5,000 to ₹39,000. The court expressed concern about the broader economic impact and passenger hardships, including health issues among vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. In response, the government stated it acted swiftly, prioritizing affected passengers and imposing fare caps through the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) formed a committee to investigate the causes and identified airline non-compliance with statutory guidelines, such as the Flight Duty Time Limitations 2024. The government also granted temporary relaxations on pilot leave to mitigate the crisis. Despite these measures, the court underscored the need for clear accountability for the disruptions and ongoing impact on passengers and the economy.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Judicial scrutiny of government response: The Delhi High Court questioned the government about its role in managing the IndiGo flight cancellations and challenged the adequacy of its actions to prevent escalation.

  • 2

    Economic and passenger impact: The fare surge from ₹5,000 to as high as ₹39,000 and prolonged flight disruptions caused significant economic losses and health issues for passengers, notably vulnerable groups.

  • 3

    Regulatory measures and compliance: The Ministry of Civil Aviation imposed fare caps and the DGCA formed a committee that identified airline non-compliance with guidelines such as Flight Duty Time Limitations, leading to government relaxation orders to address the crisis.

Takeaways

The Delhi High Court's scrutiny reveals critical gaps in government and airline crisis management, prompting regulatory actions but highlighting the need for ongoing accountability and improved oversight in India's aviation industry.

Topics

Business & Markets Markets World & Politics Policy & Regulation Governance