IndiGo Flight Cancellations LIVE: Government Orders Refunds by December 7, Caps Air Fares Amid Crisis

IndiGo Flight Cancellations LIVE: Centre Orders Refunds by December 7, Imposes Caps on Air Fares

Days of unexpected flight disruptions across India have triggered a strong response from the central government, which has now ordered IndiGo to refund all affected passengers by December 7 and imposed temporary caps on air fares. The move comes after mounting frustration among travelers stranded at several major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.

Government Steps In After Nationwide Disruptions

The civil aviation ministry held an emergency review meeting following a spike in flight cancellations reported since the weekend. With passenger complaints surging online, the government directed IndiGo — India’s largest carrier by market share — to clear all refund backlogs without delay.

Officials said the ministry is “closely evaluating” operational decisions taken by IndiGo, including last-minute cancellations that left passengers scrambling for alternatives.

Refund Deadline: December 7

The Centre has issued a straight directive:

• All refunds must be completed by December 7

• No delays, no partial credits, and no future-travel vouchers unless the passenger requests them

The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has also demanded a detailed explanation for the disruptions and is keeping open the possibility of regulatory action if compliance is not met.

Fare Caps Introduced to Protect Passengers

A major concern has been the sudden rise in air fares on routes affected by IndiGo disruptions. Several travelers reported ticket prices spiking by over 200% as availability shrank.

To prevent price exploitation, the government has imposed temporary caps on:

• High-traffic domestic routes

• Sectors with reduced capacity due to cancellations

• Routes where passengers reported excessive fare hikes

These caps will stay in place until flight operations normalize.

Passengers Report Chaotic Scenes at Airports

Across social media, videos and images showed long queues, stressed passengers, and last-minute SMS alerts informing travelers that their flights had been canceled or rescheduled.

Common grievances included:

• Cancellations within hours of departure

• Difficulty reaching customer support

• Delays in rebooking

• Lack of ground staff at airport counters

• Limited compensation or alternative flight options

Several passengers claimed they were forced to purchase last-minute tickets from rival airlines at inflated prices — prompting government intervention.

IndiGo’s Response

IndiGo stated that the cancellations were due to operational constraints, without offering further detail. However, officials have asked the airline to provide:

• A full operational audit

• The timeline of disruptions

• Steps to prevent recurrence

• A complete passenger compensation list

Airports Increasing Support Staff

Airport operators have been instructed to deploy additional personnel to help manage queues, provide real-time updates, and coordinate with airlines. Delhi and Mumbai airports, which saw the highest congestion, released statements indicating that contingency teams are in place.

Possible Penalties Ahead

If IndiGo:

• fails to meet the December 7 refund deadline,

• violates compensation guidelines, or

• continues operational disruptions…

…the DGCA may impose financial penalties or other regulatory consequences.

Why the Disruptions Matter

IndiGo carries nearly 60% of India’s domestic passengers. Even a small operational issue can ripple across the entire aviation network, impacting flight availability, pricing, and schedules for millions of travelers.

What Passengers Should Do Now

The government has issued the following guidance for affected passengers:

• Check refund status daily through the IndiGo app or website

• Save all messages and receipts for potential compensation

• Report fare spikes via DGCA’s AirSewa portal

• Avoid third-party voucher settlements unless chosen

What Happens Next

More updates are expected as the government continues to track:

• Refund completion progress

• Airport congestion levels

• Airfare stability

• Compliance by IndiGo and other airlines

Officials indicated that further measures will be announced if disruptions continue.