The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Centre over soaring airfares and its handling of the ongoing IndiGo crisis, asking why passengers were forced to pay as much as Rs 40,000 for one-way flight.
Hearing a petition on widespread disruptions caused by the airline’s operational collapse, the Bench told the Additional Solicitor General (ASG), “It is quite a crisis.”
The court said the situation reflected not just individual inconvenience but a broader economic impact. “We appreciate your efforts but what was the failure on the government’s part to precipitate this situation? It’s not just a question of individual passengers stuck at the airport. The question is also about loss to the economy? What action have you taken to provide help to people and compensate them?” the Bench asked.
It also sought details on steps taken to ensure airlines’ staff behave properly with stranded passengers. A key point of contention was the delayed implementation of guidelines on pilot working hours, which triggered the rostering collapse at IndiGo. “And most importantly, why did you not implement the guidelines on time?” the court asked.
The ASG responded, “Let me tell you what the true picture is,” adding that the government had capped fares as a “very strict measure.” The Bench, however, pressed further: “After how many days? After 4–5 days.”
When the ASG replied that capping was imposed “within 2 days,” the court pointed out that fares had already surged from Rs 4,000–5,000 to Rs 30,000.
The court also questioned why other airlines increased fares during the crisis. “If there is such a crisis, how can other airlines take advantage of it? How can other airlines start charging Rs 40,000?” it said.
The ASG told the court that the Centre had granted a one-time exemption to IndiGo in public interest, saying, “We have been at it since 2024… we have taken the decision as a one-time measure and granted exemption to IndiGo. And these will only remain valid till February 2026.”
