‘How can airfare reach ₹39,000?’ Delhi HC asks Center amid Indigo crisis

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (December 10) came down heavily on the Center as air fares increased to ₹39,000 amid the IndiGo crisis. The high court asked the Center why the situation had become so bad and termed IndiGo’s failure as a “crisis”. Since the beginning of this month, thousands of IndiGo flights have been delayed and cancelled, leaving passengers stranded at airports.

The High Court said that apart from the hardship and harassment caused to the stranded passengers, the question is about the loss caused to the economy.

A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela also asked how other airlines could take advantage of the crisis situation and charge huge amounts from passengers for tickets.

“Why did such a situation arise? What steps were taken to assist passengers? What actions were taken to compensate passengers? How are you ensuring that airline staff behave responsibly? If there was a crisis, how could other airlines be allowed to take advantage? How could fares reach ₹35,000-39,000? How could other carriers start charging such amounts? How could this happen?” The court asked the Centre.

Counsel for the Center and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) informed the court that the statutory mechanism is fully in place and a show cause notice has been issued to IndiGo, which has tendered a profuse apology.

The court was hearing a PIL seeking direction to the Center to provide assistance and refunds to passengers affected by the cancellation of hundreds of flights by IndiGo.

On December 9, the Civil Aviation Ministry said it has ordered IndiGo to reduce its flight schedule by 10% to stabilize operations, which have been largely disrupted due to the transition to the second phase of the new flying fee norms for pilots.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu also said in a statement that IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers was called to the ministry to give an update, and he “confirmed” that 100% refunds have been completed for the affected flights till December 6.