Air India announced proactive measures, including capping economy class airfares and waiving cancellation fees, as India’s aviation sector grappled with widespread disruptions caused by IndiGo’s operational crisis. The Ministry of Civil Aviation intervened on December 6, 2025, imposing strict fare caps on domestic flights to protect passengers from soaring ticket prices. This government action came after IndiGo cancelled over 1,000 flights, leaving thousands of travelers stranded across the country. ## Airlines Respond to Soaring Prices Air India and its subsidiary, Air India Express, moved to address public outcry over skyrocketing airfares. Since December 4, 2025, both carriers proactively capped economy class airfares on non-stop domestic routes. This measure aimed to prevent automated pricing systems from driving up ticket costs due to high demand. An^{[1][2][6][12][8][9][13]} Air India spokesperson confirmed the capping of fares. The airline also clarified that some high fares seen in screenshots circulating online might belong to Premium Economy or Business Class tickets, which are naturally more expensive. The^[1][4] airline acknowledged that capping every possible flight permutation is technically difficult. However, it is working with online platforms to ensure oversight. Be^{[1][4][12][9]}yond fare caps, Air India introduced a special waiver for change or cancellation fees on eligible domestic bookings. Passengers who booked flights with either Air India or Air India Express until December 4, 2025, for travel through December 15, 2025, can reschedule or cancel without penalty. This one-time waiver is valid for changes made until December 8, 2025. Far^{[1][2][6][8][14][13]}e differences may still apply for rescheduled tickets. ## IndiGo’s Operational Meltdown The crisis began with IndiGo, India’s largest airline, which faced severe operational challenges. On Friday, December 5, 2025, IndiGo cancelled more than 1,000 flights. The following day, Saturday, December 6, saw over 800 additional cancellations. These d^[3][15][10]isruptions stemmed from issues in implementing new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms for pilots, which regulate working hours to prevent fatigue. IndiGo reportedly struggled to rework its crew rosters in time, leading to an acute pilot shortage and widespread flight cancellations. This s^[15][11]udden reduction in flight capacity sent airfares soaring across the domestic network. Passengers reported one-way economy tickets on some routes reaching as high as ₹90,000 or even ₹1 lakh. For instance, a SpiceJet ticket from Kolkata to Mumbai was priced at ₹90,000, and an Air India ticket from Mumbai to Bhubaneswar was listed at ₹84,485. IndiGo CEO Pie^{[2][5][15][12][10]}ter Elbers issued an apology for the major inconvenience caused to passengers. The airline stated it is working determinedly to stabilize schedules and reduce delays. The Directorate^[3] General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to CEO Pieter Elbers, citing his failure to ensure timely arrangements and facilities for passengers. ### Government^{[2][6][11][13]} Takes Swift Action The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) took a serious view of the unusually high airfares. On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the ministry invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes. The government^{[1][4][5][7][16][10][11]} imposed an immediate cap on domestic economy-class airfares. The maximum fare was set at ₹18,000, excluding airport levies and taxes, with specific caps varying by distance slabs. This cap does not apply to business class tickets or flights under the regional connectivity scheme (UDAN). Minister of Stat^{[4][5][7][9][17]}e for Civil Aviation Muralidhar Mohol stated the government's decision aims to prevent arbitrary fare hikes and ensure air travel remains accessible. The fare caps wil^[17]l remain in force until the situation stabilizes or until further review by the ministry. The MoCA directe^{[4][7][16][11]}d all airlines to strictly adhere to the newly prescribed fare caps. It also established a real-time monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance. The government or^[16][11]dered IndiGo to process all pending passenger refunds by December 7, 2025, at 8:00 PM. To help ease the^[3][7][9] operational strain, the DGCA temporarily exempted IndiGo from certain provisions of the new FDTL norms related to its Airbus A320 fleet until February 10, 2026. This move intends to help the airline restore normal scheduling. In a broader effo^[3][15][11]rt to assist stranded travelers, Indian Railways also stepped in, announcing 84 special trains across various zones. ### Future Outlo^[4]ok and Passenger Support Air India and Air India Express are working to add capacity to help travelers and their baggage reach destinations quickly. They are maximizing seat availability across their networks. Where operationally feasible, eligible Economy Class passengers may receive upgrades to higher cabins at no extra cost to utilize all available seats. The airlines hav^{[1][4][12][9][14]}e also deployed additional resources at their 24x7 contact centers to manage increased call volumes and minimize response times. Passengers can contact these centers or use travel agents for rescheduling or cancellations. Air India Express also offers assistance through its chatbot, Tia, on WhatsApp, its website, mobile app, and Facebook Messenger. Air India plans t^{[2][6][8][14][13]}o offer special discounted fares and benefits on its website and mobile apps for students, senior citizens, members of the armed forces, and their dependents. Travel platforms^[14] indicate that ticket prices for travel in the coming week might begin to ease, suggesting the initial price spike was a direct result of IndiGo’s sudden capacity drop. The government's in^[15][10]tervention and airlines' proactive measures aim to restore stability and passenger confidence in the aviation sector.

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