Amid the chaos caused by mass cancellations, the government and the airline moved quickly to ease the burden on travellers. The national aviation regulator revealed that IndiGo has processed refunds totaling ₹610 crore so far. At the same time, the airline is ramping up flight operations: from just 706 flights on December 5 to 1,565 on December 6, and the number is expected to reach around 1,650 by the end of Sunday.
This swift action aims to reassure affected passengers and stabilise the disrupted air travel network.
Airfare Caps Restore Balance in Ticket Prices
With cancellations creating a last-minute scramble for tickets, prices on certain routes had surged sharply. To prevent exploitation, the government imposed an immediate cap on airfares for impacted routes.
The revised fare bands limit ticket prices depending on route length, aiming to keep costs fair. Officials said that fares on affected routes have “moderated to acceptable limits”. Airlines must follow these caps strictly until the crisis passes.
This marks one of the most direct price-control interventions in India’s aviation sector in recent years.
Indigo Crisis: Refunds, Rescheduling, and Baggage Return
To protect travellers, the ministry directed IndiGo to complete all refunds for cancelled or delayed flights by 8 pm Sunday. The airline also cannot charge extra rescheduling fees for passengers forced to rebook.
On the baggage front, authorities set a tight 48-hour deadline for returning luggage separated during the disruption. As of Saturday, around 3,000 bags have already been returned. IndiGo must maintain continuous communication until all affected passengers receive their belongings.
New support cells have opened across airports for refund, rebooking, and baggage-tracking issues — a step aimed at reducing delays and easing passenger stress.
Airports Report Smooth Operations, 24×7 Monitoring in Place
Airport directors from major airports — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Goa — confirmed that operations have returned to normal and terminals no longer face chaotic crowds. Security checks, boarding, and check-in counters are functioning smoothly.
The government has also activated a 24×7 control room to monitor all airlines and airports in real time. The control room tracks flight operations, crew availability, passenger complaints, baggage handling, and airport crowd management. Teams remain deployed on the ground to ensure compliance with the orders.
Why the Intervention Matters in the Indigo Crisis: Restoring Passenger Confidence
The recent disruption hit thousands of travellers, with cancelled flights, lost luggage, and fear of inflated fares. The joint action by the government and IndiGo aims to restore trust.
By processing massive refunds, enforcing fare caps, and ensuring baggage return, authorities are prioritizing passenger rights and dignity. They said these emergency measures will remain until the airline’s operations fully stabilise.
As flight numbers rise and airports report normal conditions, many travellers hope this signals the end of a turbulent week — and a more reliable future for air travel in India.
