The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sharply criticised the Centre for failing to prevent the steep surge in airfares that followed the IndiGo crisis, during which hundreds of flights were cancelled nationwide.

Justice Subramonium Prasad Gedela questioned how ticket prices on key domestic routes shot up to nearly ₹40,000, asking, “If there was a crisis, how could other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it go to ₹35,000–₹39,000? How can it happen?”

The IndiGo meltdown — caused by widespread pilot shortages and rostering disruptions — triggered sudden demand spikes, leading to ticket prices doubling or even tripling. On the Mumbai–Delhi route, where a last-minute round trip usually costs around ₹20,000, a one-way economy seat was selling for up to ₹35,000. Several international routes became cheaper than major domestic ones.

Court questions Centre’s oversight

The Additional Solicitor General presented the steps taken by the government, but the court noted that all measures came after the crisis had escalated.

“Why did the situation arise at all? What were you doing?” the court asked, also seeking answers on pilot overwork and steps to prevent such lapses in the future.

The Centre informed the court that the DGCA had issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo, and the airline responded with a “profuse apology.” The court said it appreciated efforts to stabilise operations but remained concerned about the avoidable collapse that left lakhs of passengers stranded.

“Not just inconvenience — it impacts the economy,” says HC

The bench stressed that aviation disruptions hurt not only passengers but also the national economy, given the critical role of high-mobility travel in business and commerce.

“What steps were taken to compensate passengers? What action has been taken to ensure employees behave responsibly?” the court asked.

Government imposes curbs on IndiGo

In its ongoing action, the DGCA has:

  • Cut IndiGo’s winter schedule by 5%, reducing around 110 flights per day
  • Announced that freed slots will be allocated to other airlines
  • Initiated an enforcement investigation against IndiGo’s senior leadership
  • Placed airports across the country under enhanced monitoring

Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu told Parliament that safety was “non-negotiable” and promised that no airline would be allowed to cause hardship to passengers.

“Airports are reporting normal conditions without distress. Refunds, baggage tracing and passenger support measures remain under continuous supervision,” he said.

Further action will depend on the outcome of the DGCA’s ongoing inquiry.