Govt Seeks Fare Data From Airlines After IndiGo Cancellations Disrupt Travel
The central government has asked major Indian carriers — IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Air India Express and Akasa Air — to submit details of the average fares they charged between December 1 and December 15, according to a Reuters report. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued the request on January 1 amid concerns over fare spikes following widespread flight disruptions last month.
The move comes after IndiGo, which commands about 65% of India’s aviation market, cancelled nearly 4,500 flights in December due to a pilot shortage triggered by stricter duty and rest regulations enforced by the DGCA. The cancellations caused nationwide disruptions, with ticket prices on several routes rising sharply and prompting government intervention. The Competition Commission of India had also initiated proceedings in December to examine whether IndiGo abused its market dominance.
The disruption has compounded the financial stress on the aviation sector, with ratings agency Icra revising its outlook for FY26 to project industry-wide net losses of ₹17,000–18,000 crore, up from an earlier estimate of ₹9,500–10,500 crore. The agency has also reduced its forecast for domestic passenger traffic growth to 0–3% for the year, citing operational challenges and weaker demand.
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