MoCA Puts Cap On Airfares To Regulate Spikes After IndiGo Operational Crisis

Ministry of Civil Aviation has in an press release on Saturday invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation's move comes after spike in airfares, as charges of certain airlines shot up due to the ongoing disruption.

In order to protect passengers from any form of "opportunistic pricing" the Ministry has invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes from all airlines.

An official directive has been issued to all airlines mandating that the strictly stick to the fare caps that have now been prescribed. These caps will remain in force until the situation fully stabilises.

The Ministry will continue to closely monitor fare levels through real-time data and active coordination with airlines and online travel platforms. Any deviation from the prescribed norms will attract immediate corrective action in the larger public interest.

"The objective of this directive is to maintain pricing discipline in the market, prevent any exploitation of passengers in distress, and ensure that citizens who urgently need to travel — including senior citizens, students, and patients, are not subjected to financial hardship during this period," said the ministry.

Apart from this earlier today, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation withdrew instructions regarding published weekly rest. This means that the airlines will now be able to use leave in place of weekly rest if required.

This comes as flight disruptions continued for the fourth straight day on Friday, with nationwide cancellations crossing 500 flights as IndiGo operator Interglobe Aviation Ltd. struggles to adjust to the government’s stricter crew safety and flight duty-time limitation norms.

The airlines had given representations to DGCA on the instructions for the weekly rest instructions. They had highlighted operational disruptions and the need for continuity and stability in flying schedules.

DGCA has now decided the earlier restriction was affecting operations, the aviation body said in its notice to all operators.