Government action helps steady air travel after IndiGo disruption

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) swiftly responded to the recent IndiGo operational crisis to minimise passenger inconvenience. Air travel nationwide is quickly stabilising. Other domestic airlines are operating smoothly and at full capacity, while IndiGo’s performance is steadily improving today, with flight schedules returning to near-normal levels. IndiGo’s flight operations increased from 706 on December 05, 25 to 1,565 on December 6, 25, and are expected to reach around 1,650 by the end of the day.

According to the PIB press release, “Due to recent cancellations causing demand changes and a temporary increase in airfares, the Ministry quickly stepped in to set a cap on prices. This action aims to guarantee fair and affordable prices for travellers. Since this measure was put into place, fare prices on affected routes have stabilised within acceptable ranges. All airlines have been directed to follow the new fare guidelines strictly.”

To ensure financial protection for passengers, the Ministry issued strict directives to IndiGo requiring that all refunds for cancelled or severely delayed flights be completed by 8:00 PM today. IndiGo has so far processed refunds totalling ₹610 crore. No additional fees are permitted for rescheduling travel affected by cancellations. Dedicated support cells have been created to proactively assist passengers so that refund and rebooking issues are resolved without delay or inconvenience, per the PIB press release.

The Ministry has also directed IndiGo to track and deliver all baggage separated from passengers due to disruptions within 48 hours. Continuous communication is required throughout the process. With this initiative, IndiGo has successfully delivered 3,000 pieces of baggage to passengers across India as of yesterday.

Airport Directors from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Goa have confirmed that conditions across terminals are normal today. Passenger movement continues to be smooth, with no congestion at check-in, security, or boarding areas. Ground support has been improved through increased monitoring and prompt deployment of assistance by airport staff and CISF, per PIB press release.

The MoCA’s 24×7 Control Room continues to operate as a unified coordination hub, managing flight operations, airport conditions, and passenger support needs. Passenger calls are being handled promptly, with necessary assistance provided as needed. Our teams remain on the ground to oversee operational planning, crew scheduling, and passenger service standards, ensuring full compliance.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation reassures the travelling public that passenger safety, convenience, and dignity continue to be the Government of India's top priorities. The aviation network is rapidly returning to normal, and all corrective measures will stay in place until operations are fully stabilized, per the PIB press release.

The Ministry will continue vigilant monitoring to ensure full protection of passenger rights and interests, and further updates will be shared as required.