Airline Fares Soar Amid IndiGo Crisis; Passengers Left Helpless as Government Faces Wake-Up Call

New Delhi, India: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has plunged the country’s aviation sector into chaos, leaving over one million passengers stranded over four days. The crisis caused by widespread flight cancellations has led to domestic airfares skyrocketing 5 to 10 times, while international fares, paradoxically, became comparatively cheaper.

On Friday, 235 IndiGo flights were cancelled at Delhi airport alone, with the airline later announcing a complete suspension of all flights for the day. Passengers struggled to adjust plans for urgent meetings, weddings, or other critical engagements as alternative options were either unavailable or prohibitively expensive due to the steep fare hike by other airlines.

Passenger Outcry and Government Inaction

Travelers expressed frustration, accusing the airline of deliberate mismanagement, claiming:

“If there are no pilots or crew available, why are passengers being called to the airport?”

Passengers with connecting flights faced the brunt of the crisis, with some waiting hours to reclaim their luggage. Many described the situation as a clear example of IndiGo exploiting the disruption for strategic leverage.

Domestic Fares Hit Record Highs

• Delhi–Goa: ₹50,000–61,000
• Delhi–Udaipur: ₹81,000
• Delhi–Bengaluru: ₹61,000
• Delhi–Chennai: ₹41,000
• Delhi–Mumbai: ₹35,000–69,000

International Flights Remain Comparatively Affordable

• Delhi–Abu Dhabi: ₹31,000–69,000
• Delhi–Paro: ₹42,000
• Delhi–London: ₹25,000–40,000
• Delhi–Singapore: ₹53,000–64,000
• Delhi–Bali: ₹31,000

Implications

The unprecedented fare surge underscores the vulnerability of India’s aviation sector to operational crises and raises urgent questions about regulatory oversight. Passengers and industry experts warn that such incidents not only strain travelers financially but also erode public trust in the aviation system.

This crisis has prompted calls for the government and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to implement stricter regulations, emergency protocols, and price monitoring mechanisms to prevent such disruptions in the future.

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