New Delhi: In response to a sharp surge in domestic airfares following IndiGo’s operational crisis, the Union Government has stepped in to regulate ticket prices across all airlines. The move comes after several carriers allegedly hiked fares steeply, taking advantage of the disruption caused by a shortage of pilots and crew under the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.
In a new directive issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the government has fixed upper price limits for domestic flight tickets in the interest of passengers.
New Maximum Fare Limits
According to the order:
- For distances up to 500 km:
Maximum fare allowed is ₹7,500 - For 500 km to 1,000 km:
Maximum fare is ₹12,000 - For 1,000 km to 1,500 km:
Airlines cannot charge more than ₹15,000 - For routes above 1,500 km:
Maximum fare has been capped at ₹18,000
These limits will remain in force until airfares return to normal levels. If prices do not stabilize, the restrictions will continue until the next review, the ministry stated.
The directive also clarifies that the capped fares apply to all bookings, whether made directly with airlines or through third-party platforms. However, the fare cap does not apply to Business Class tickets.
The government’s intervention comes at a time when thousands of passengers have been affected by mass cancellations and delays across IndiGo’s network, with other airlines increasing fares in high-demand sectors.
