‘How Can Fares Hit Rs 39,000?’: Delhi HC Asks Centre Why The Crisis Happened

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Centre over the IndiGo crisis that resulted in hundreds of flight cancellations and a sudden spike in domestic airfares, with some tickets shooting

up to nearly Rs 40,000. Questioning why airlines were allowed to raise fares amid the chaos, Justice Gedela asked, "If there were a crisis, how could other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it go to 35,000 to 39,000? How could other airlines start charging? How can it happen?"The court said that while it "appreciates their efforts" in managing the situation, the government must explain how the crisis unfolded in the first place. Emphasising the broader economic fallout, Justice Gedela remarked, "Who is responsible? It is not a question of individual passengers being stranded at airports. Question is loss to the economy.""We have said we appreciate your efforts. Question is why did such a situation precipitate? Who is responsible? It is not question of individual passengers are stranded at airports. Question is loss to the economy. It is harassment and trouble to the passengers. What steps were taken to compensate the passengers? What action has been taken to ensure that the employees of service providers behave responsibly?" the court asked the Centre.The Additional Solicitor General detailed the measures taken by the Centre, but the Delhi High Court was not convinced. “These are all taken by you once the crisis erupted. Question is not this. Why at all the situation arose? And what have you been doing,” the court remarked.The government told the bench that a statutory mechanism is fully in place and that a show-cause notice has been served to IndiGo, which has “apologised profusely.” The court also pressed the Centre on why pilots were overworked and what preventive action can be taken to avoid such crises in future.More to follow...