NEW DELHI, December 6, 2025 — The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have announced significant regulatory measures and consumer relief efforts in response to the severe operational meltdown at IndiGo, which has led to over a thousand flight cancellations nationwide this week.

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The dual intervention aims to stabilize the chaotic aviation sector and protect passengers from financial exploitation as the crisis, rooted in a pilot shortage following the implementation of new duty rules, continues into its fifth day.

MoCA Imposes Airfare Caps to Prevent ‘Opportunistic Pricing’

In an urgent directive issued to all airlines, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has invoked its regulatory powers to impose temporary airfare caps on all routes affected by the IndiGo disruptions.

• Objective: The measure is designed to combat “unusually high airfares” and prevent “opportunistic pricing” that surged across the domestic sector as stranded passengers sought alternative travel.

• Enforcement: The MoCA mandated strict adherence to the prescribed fare limits, warning that any deviation will attract immediate corrective action in the public interest.

• Duration: The fare caps will remain in force until the operational situation at IndiGo is fully stabilized.

DGCA Grants Temporary Pilot Duty Relaxation

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted a key temporary exemption to IndiGo regarding the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for pilots. The crisis stemmed from the airline’s failure to adequately adjust crew rosters to meet the stricter Phase II FDTL rules, which took full effect on November 1.

• Relief Details: The DGCA has placed certain FDTL orders, specifically related to the mandatory weekly rest requirements and the cap on night-time landings for Airbus A320 operations, in abeyance.

• Safety vs. Stability: This relaxation is designed to allow the airline to more flexibly roster its available pilots, helping to stabilize flight schedules and reduce the daily cancellation rate, while regulatory bodies monitor that safety margins are maintained.

• Commitment to Normalcy: IndiGo has informed the regulator that it will cut flights proactively until December 8 to reset its schedule and expects operations to be fully restored and stabilized by February 10, 2026.

IndiGo Offers Comprehensive Passenger Relief

In parallel with the government’s intervention, IndiGo has announced sweeping relief measures for affected passengers, acknowledging the widespread chaos caused across major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.

• Full Waivers: The airline is offering a complete waiver on all cancellation or rescheduling requests for passengers booked to travel between December 5 and December 15, 2025.

• Automatic Refunds: All refunds for cancelled flights during this period will be automatically processed to the original mode of payment.

• Emergency Support: IndiGo confirmed that it has arranged thousands of hotel rooms and surface transport options for passengers stranded overnight, alongside providing complimentary food and snacks at airports and lounge access for senior citizens wherever possible.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated that a high-level committee has been formed to investigate the crisis, identify accountability for planning failures, and ensure full compliance with aviation safety norms once the temporary operational relief expires.