In a swift move aimed at safeguarding passengers already burdened by soaring air travel costs, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has imposed strict limits on airfare hikes. The directive comes in response to a sudden spike in ticket prices triggered by the ongoing IndiGo meltdown, which has left thousands of travellers stranded and frustrated.
Airlines Push Fares to Record Highs
The widespread flight cancellations and delays at IndiGo have created a ripple effect across the aviation market. Other carriers reportedly raised fares sharply, taking advantage of the demand–supply imbalance. What was once considered an affordable domestic journey has now become prohibitively expensive, particularly during the holiday season.
“The escalation without any control is unacceptable,” ministry sources said, indicating the urgent need to restore stability and protect passengers from price exploitation.
New Regulations to Prevent Overpricing
Under the new rules, all domestic airlines must adhere to government-mandated caps on maximum ticket prices. These limits vary by route but are designed to prevent excessive surge pricing on high-demand sectors.
A real-time monitoring mechanism will track compliance, and swift action will be taken against any airline violating the norms. The ministry emphasised that the priority is to ensure fair pricing until flight operations across carriers return to normal.
Relief Expected for Travellers
Authorities expect the measures to immediately bring down fares, offering much-needed relief to millions of passengers affected by abrupt price hikes. The government’s decisive intervention also sends a strong message that opportunistic pricing during operational crises will not be tolerated.
For now, travellers can breathe a little easier — India’s aviation watchdog is keeping close watch on the skies.