Travel chaos across India: IndiGo cancels 550 flights, other airlines hike fares; DGCA relaxes rules

NEW DELHI: A large number of IndiGo flights were cancelled, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded, while other airlines sharply increased their fares- some by up to six times.

On the Delhi–Thiruvananthapuram route, Air India charged Rs 83,000 yesterday. The lowest fare available was Rs 44,000. Similar fare hikes were seen for flights to Kochi, Kozhikode and Kannur. On normal days, fares on these routes are between Rs 6,000 and Rs 8,000.

There are no tickets available today for travel to Kerala from Delhi, Bengaluru or Mumbai. For tomorrow, a Delhi–Thiruvananthapuram ticket costs Rs 83,500, and a Delhi–Kochi ticket costs Rs 42,000. From Bengaluru, tickets to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi cost Rs 18,000. From Mumbai, the fare is nearly Rs 50,000.

Meanwhile, the DGCA has given partial relaxation to its recent order tightening pilots’ rest rules. The instruction preventing crew from taking a weekly rest as leave has been withdrawn. IndiGo’s flight disruptions began after pilots and crew protested the new regulations by staying off duty.

To ensure passenger safety, the DGCA had decided to implement new duty-time limits in two phases (June and November). Pilots were to receive 48 hours of rest instead of 36 hours, and only two landings were permitted between midnight and 6 a.m., instead of four.

Yesterday, 550 IndiGo flights from major airports were cancelled. All flights from Delhi were cancelled. Long queues formed at IndiGo counters, leading to tense situations as staff struggled to manage crowds. Passengers waited hours to retrieve their luggage and were left without food, water or seating. Food prices inside the airport were extremely high.

Airlines free to set fares

Airfare control does not fall under the aviation ministry or the DGCA. Airlines can raise prices freely under the flexible fare system.

Passengers to receive full refund

IndiGo issued an apology to passengers. Those stranded at airports will be provided snacks. Full refunds will be issued, or passengers will be offered hotel accommodation until the next available flight.

Multiple cancellations in Kerala

Yesterday, 11 IndiGo flights from Kochi were delayed. Flights to Kuwait, Raipur, Hyderabad and Chennai were cancelled. In Thiruvananthapuram, six flights were delayed and four were cancelled. From Karipur, flights to Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Dubai and Hyderabad were cancelled. Many passengers said they were informed of cancellations only after arriving at the airport, forcing them to spend money on food and accommodation.