Delhi High Court Reprimands Centre Over IndiGo Flight Crisis, Questions Fare Hikes to Rs 39,000

 

New Delhi, December 10, 2025 

In a scathing rebuke to the Union government and the aviation sector, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Centre's role in allowing IndiGo's widespread flight cancellations to spiral into a national crisis, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and driving airfares on alternative carriers to exorbitant levels of up to Rs 39,000. The court demanded accountability, asking pointedly: "Who is responsible?" and "How can fares jump to Rs 35,000?" as it highlighted regulatory lapses that exacerbated the chaos.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, was hearing public interest litigations (PILs) addressing the fallout from IndiGo's operational meltdown, which saw over 700 flights cancelled in a single day last week—primarily due to violations of revised Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms aimed at curbing pilot fatigue. The crisis, described by the court as "deeply alarming" and a source of "trouble and harassment" for passengers, not only disrupted travel but also inflicted economic losses across the country, with the bench noting the broader impact on India's fast-paced economy reliant on air connectivity.

The disruptions trace back to IndiGo's repeated requests for extensions in implementing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) updated FDTL guidelines, which larger carriers like IndiGo and Air India had sought more time to adopt despite smaller airlines complying promptly. This led to crew scheduling issues, forcing mass cancellations and leaving passengers in limbo at major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. One affected flyer, speaking anonymously to media, recounted paying nearly Rs 65,000 for a last-minute non-stop Delhi-Mumbai ticket—more than quadruple the usual Rs 5,000-15,000 range—while international routes like Delhi-Dubai ironically appeared cheaper.

The court zeroed in on the opportunistic fare surges by competing airlines, observing: "The ticket which was available for Rs 5,000, the prices went up to Rs 30,000 to Rs 35,000. If there was a crisis, how could other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it (ticket price) go up to Rs 35,000 and Rs 39,000? How could other airlines start charging?" Chief Justice Upadhyaya further pressed the government: "What bothers us is how such a situation was allowed to precipitate, leading to stranding of lakhs of passengers at airports across the country," underscoring a failure in proactive oversight by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Responding to the court's sharp observations during a hearing that stretched over 90 minutes, the bench issued several directives to restore order and ensure passenger relief. It ordered IndiGo to promptly compensate all stranded travelers for losses incurred due to the cancellations, including refunds for inflated alternative tickets and accommodations. The Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA were instructed to expedite normalization of operations, mandate airlines to bolster pilot recruitment, and prevent future exploitation during disruptions.

In a bid for transparency, the court directed the Centre to submit the ongoing inquiry report—initiated under Section 19 of the Aircraft Act—under seal by January 22, 2026, allowing judicial review without prejudicing the probe. The judges clarified that their interventions were in the "public interest," aimed at compelling both the government and IndiGo to prioritize citizen welfare over operational shortcuts.

The Additional Solicitor General, representing the Centre, defended the response as unprecedented, revealing that fare caps were imposed on economy-class tickets for the first time—limiting domestic routes to Rs 7,500-18,000—to curb the surge. A show-cause notice has been served to IndiGo, which has been directed to slash its daily flight schedule by 10% (potentially axing over 200 flights per day) while the DGCA investigates. IndiGo, in turn, issued a public apology, committing to enhanced compliance with FDTL norms.

However, the court dismissed these as reactive fixes, questioning why preventive audits and stricter enforcement weren't in place earlier. "You allowed the situation to precipitate," the bench remarked, calling for a holistic review of airline staffing and pricing regulations.

This episode underscores deepening concerns over India's aviation sector, where IndiGo holds over 60% market share, making any disruption ripple nationwide. Passenger rights advocates hailed the verdict as a "wake-up call," while industry watchers warn of potential ripple effects on tourism and business travel during the peak winter season.