Delhi Court Questions Centre Over Soaring Airfares During IndiGo Crisis

Dec 10, 2025 - The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (December 10) pulled up the Centre for its alleged failure to prevent rocketing airfares by carriers during the IndiGo operational crisis when thousands of its flights were cancelled or delayed. A Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela questioned the government on how it had allowed such a situation to even precipitate and what steps it had taken to help the passengers.

"If there were a crisis, how could other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it (airfare) go to 35,000 to 39,000? How could other airlines start charging? How can it happen?" Justice Gedela was quoted as asking.

The High Court had agreed to hear a petition filed on the matter. The Supreme Court earlier decline an urgent hearing even as Chief Justice of India Surya Kant acknowledged that it was a “serious matter. Lakhs of people are stranded at the airports. We know that the government of India has taken timely action and cognisance of the issue.”

Additionally, the Delhi High Court told IndiGo to take steps to pay compensation to passengers who were left high and dry after mass cancellations and delays of its flights in the past week.

“…What about the agony passengers had to endure as they stood stranded, facing what they described as a hostile staff?” the Court said after the airline said the crisis had “dented” its reputation which it had built over many years.

The High Court clarified it had not passed any order yet but emphasised that compensation is payable under the DGCA 2010 circular and must be adhered to by the airline. The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) 2010 circular detailed facilities and compensations to passengers for cancellations and delays.

With Media Inputs

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