Following the large-scale cancellation of flights by Indigo Airlines, air travel across the country has been severely disrupted. The sudden shortage of available seats prompted several other airlines to sharply increase ticket prices, causing widespread concern among passengers.
With airfare surging uncontrollably, the Central Government has stepped in to stabilize the situation and protect travellers from excessive pricing. To prevent airlines from exploiting the crisis, the Centre has officially fixed maximum ticket prices based on travel distance.
New Government-Approved Airfare Caps
According to the guidelines announced by the Centre:
- For up to 500 km: Maximum fare capped at ₹7,500
- For 500 km to 1,000 km: Maximum fare capped at ₹12,000
- For 1,000 km to 1,500 km: Maximum fare capped at ₹15,000
- For above 1,500 km: Maximum fare capped at ₹18,000
These new caps will apply across all domestic airlines until the situation stabilizes.
Why the Crisis Happened
Indigo, India’s largest airline, recently faced a major operational crisis leading to the cancellation of a significant number of flights. This unexpected disruption caused a sudden shortage of seats across the aviation network. Other airlines responded by increasing prices steeply, with some fares reportedly reaching unusually high levels.
Government Intervention
To control the rapid inflation of air ticket prices and ensure fair travel opportunities, the Union Government has imposed these temporary fare caps. Officials stated that airlines must strictly follow these limits and that strict action will be taken against violators.
Impact on Passengers
The government’s decision brings much-needed relief to passengers who were struggling to find affordable travel options due to the sudden surge in demand. With these caps in place, travellers can expect more predictable and reasonable airfare rates during this crisis.
