Government Steps In on 5th Day of IndiGo Crisis, Orders Refunds and Fare Caps

On the fifth consecutive day of IndiGo Airlines’ operational crisis, the government has taken decisive action to protect passengers. Over 400 flights were canceled on Saturday, adding to more than 1,400 cancellations in the past four days, disrupting domestic air travel and causing fares on other airlines to spike.

Government Orders

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has directed IndiGo to process all pending refunds for canceled or disrupted flights by 8 PM on Sunday, 7 December. The ministry warned that failure to comply will result in immediate regulatory action. Additionally, passengers affected by rescheduling must not be charged any fees.

Fare Caps Introduced

To curb exorbitant fares during the disruption, MoCA has also imposed fare caps across all airlines. The ministry emphasized strict adherence, warning that any deviations will trigger immediate corrective action in the public interest.

Cause of the Crisis

The operational breakdown is primarily due to a shortage of pilots following the implementation of the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, aimed at reducing pilot fatigue. In response to the escalating cancellations, the government has temporarily relaxed weekly rest requirements for pilots to help restore normal operations.

Conclusion:
The dual measures of mandatory refunds and fare capping aim to protect passengers while IndiGo works to stabilize its operations. Authorities have made it clear that non-compliance will invite strict action, ensuring accountability and passenger relief during the ongoing crisis.