Delhi High Court Questions Centre Over IndiGo Crisis and Skyrocketing Airfares
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday strongly questioned the Centre over the growing chaos caused by the IndiGo crisis , especially the trouble faced by air travellers due to large-scale flight cancellations and sudden spikes in airfares. The court asked why the government allowed airfares to shoot up to Rs 35,000 to Rs 39,000 and what immediate government action was taken to support stranded passengers during the IndiGo crisis.
The Delhi High Court further asked, "Why did such a situation even precipitate? What steps were taken to assist passengers?" highlighting concerns over skyrocketing airfares, stranded passengers and misuse of aviation rules by other carriers. Live Law quoted Justice Gedela saying, "Question also is, if there was a crisis how can other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it go to 35-39k? How could other airlines start charging? How can it happen?" The court's observations come amid rising public frustration over flight cancellations linked to the FDTL scheme and the widening IndiGo crisis.
Responding to the Delhi High Court, the additional solicitor general informed that a show-cause notice had already been issued to the airline, and IndiGo submitted a "profuse apology." He added that the implementation of the FDTL scheme had been pushed back since 2024 due to repeated extension requests by the airline and its continuous assurances before the single-judge bench. This raised more concerns about government action, aviation rules and the handling of travellers during flight cancellations.
The bench also asked the government to detail what arrangements were made to manage stranded passengers and to ensure they were not harassed at airports. The Delhi High Court remarked, "If they failed, what action did you take? You allowed the situation to reach this point," pointing to gaps in government action and the overall handling of the IndiGo crisis that has caused widespread inconvenience.
The ongoing IndiGo crisis has drawn the attention of both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court as lakhs of travellers continue to face issues due to flight cancellations across the country. The HC agreed to hear a plea on the matter soon after the Supreme Court noted the seriousness of the issue, even though it declined an urgent hearing. "It is a serious matter. Lakhs of people are stranded at the airports. We know that the government of India has taken timely action and cognisance of the issue," CJI Surya Kant said, reflecting concerns about aviation rules, soaring airfares and the impact on stranded passengers.
IndiGo has been facing severe criticism from the central government and travellers after cancelling hundreds of flights since December 2. The airline attributed the disruptions to changes in pilots flight duty and rest regulations under the FDTL scheme. These flight cancellations have caused extensive delays, massive queues and frustration among stranded passengers all over India. As the IndiGo crisis continues, the pressure is increasing on authorities to tighten aviation rules and ensure fair airfares and proper government action.
The Delhi High Court further asked, "Why did such a situation even precipitate? What steps were taken to assist passengers?" highlighting concerns over skyrocketing airfares, stranded passengers and misuse of aviation rules by other carriers. Live Law quoted Justice Gedela saying, "Question also is, if there was a crisis how can other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it go to 35-39k? How could other airlines start charging? How can it happen?" The court's observations come amid rising public frustration over flight cancellations linked to the FDTL scheme and the widening IndiGo crisis.
Responding to the Delhi High Court, the additional solicitor general informed that a show-cause notice had already been issued to the airline, and IndiGo submitted a "profuse apology." He added that the implementation of the FDTL scheme had been pushed back since 2024 due to repeated extension requests by the airline and its continuous assurances before the single-judge bench. This raised more concerns about government action, aviation rules and the handling of travellers during flight cancellations.
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The bench also asked the government to detail what arrangements were made to manage stranded passengers and to ensure they were not harassed at airports. The Delhi High Court remarked, "If they failed, what action did you take? You allowed the situation to reach this point," pointing to gaps in government action and the overall handling of the IndiGo crisis that has caused widespread inconvenience.
The ongoing IndiGo crisis has drawn the attention of both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court as lakhs of travellers continue to face issues due to flight cancellations across the country. The HC agreed to hear a plea on the matter soon after the Supreme Court noted the seriousness of the issue, even though it declined an urgent hearing. "It is a serious matter. Lakhs of people are stranded at the airports. We know that the government of India has taken timely action and cognisance of the issue," CJI Surya Kant said, reflecting concerns about aviation rules, soaring airfares and the impact on stranded passengers.
IndiGo has been facing severe criticism from the central government and travellers after cancelling hundreds of flights since December 2. The airline attributed the disruptions to changes in pilots flight duty and rest regulations under the FDTL scheme. These flight cancellations have caused extensive delays, massive queues and frustration among stranded passengers all over India. As the IndiGo crisis continues, the pressure is increasing on authorities to tighten aviation rules and ensure fair airfares and proper government action.
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