India caps airline fares as IndiGo crisis leaves hundreds stranded long after 5 days

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IndiGo is experiencing its most severe crisis in two decades, with the airline canceling hundreds of flights, prompting passengers to wait outside ticket counters at Mumbai and Bengaluru airports. On December 6, 2025, approximately 385 IndiGo flights were canceled, leaving many stranded. Although some operations have begun to stabilize, IndiGo anticipates recovery around December 15.

In response to the turmoil, India imposed a cap on airline fares on Saturday, aiming to prevent further price spikes as fares surged on popular routes due to the cancellations. The government has also announced special relief measures for IndiGo and arranged additional train services to manage the backlog. Details about the exact fare caps remain undisclosed, but the government emphasized its commitment to monitoring fare levels via real-time data and close coordination with airlines.

This unprecedented disruption marks the biggest challenge for the airline since it launched two decades ago, despite its reputation for punctuality and affordability. The crisis is primarily linked to IndiGo’s failure to plan adequately for new regulations introduced in early November, which imposed stricter rules on night flying and weekly rest periods for pilots. This oversight has led to scheduling issues, resulting in over 1,000 cancellations just on Friday.

Following the government’s exemption announcements, IndiGo projected a return to normal operations between December 10 and 15. At Delhi’s airport, officials reported that flight operations are gradually recovering, but some cancellations persist. Reports from airport sources indicate that, on Saturday, IndiGo canceled 124 flights in Bengaluru, 109 in Mumbai, 86 in New Delhi, and 66 in Hyderabad.

Passenger experiences varied; some, unaware of the cancellations, waited outside the airports, while others faced disrupted plans. Satish Konde, for instance, checked in for a connecting flight from Mumbai to Nagpur but was later informed it was canceled. He expressed his frustration, noting he was awaiting the return of his luggage. Other airlines like Air India and Akasa have not been affected by these regulatory changes and have maintained regular flight schedules.