New Delhi – Domestic air travel in India has become significantly more expensive as IndiGo cancellations continued for a third consecutive day on Friday, creating unprecedented chaos across major airports. With hundreds of flights grounded and thousands of passengers desperately seeking alternative travel options, last-minute airfares have surged to extraordinary levels, with some tickets crossing the ₹80,000 mark on popular routes.
Unprecedented Price Surge Across Major Routes
The impact of IndiGo cancellations on ticket pricing has been dramatic and immediate. Travelers attempting to book urgent flights witnessed fares rising almost instantly across all major travel platforms. The Delhi–Bengaluru route, one of India’s busiest corridors, exemplifies this crisis with the cheapest available flight on December 6 priced above ₹40,000, while premium options have crossed ₹80,000.
The Delhi–Mumbai sector has not been spared either. Passengers booking for December 6 now face minimum fares of ₹36,107, with prices escalating beyond ₹56,000 for certain flights. Return journeys to the national capital show similar patterns, with the lowest available fare hovering around ₹23,000 and peak prices exceeding ₹37,000.
Southern and Eastern Routes Hit Hard
The IndiGo cancellations have affected routes across the country uniformly. Last-minute bookings for Delhi–Chennai flights are displaying prices in the staggering ₹62,000–82,000 range, making what is typically an affordable route prohibitively expensive for most travelers. The Delhi–Guwahati sector shows prices ranging between ₹23,998 and ₹35,015, representing a significant markup from normal fares.
These price increases reflect the severe supply-demand imbalance created by the sudden withdrawal of hundreds of IndiGo flights from the market. As India’s largest domestic carrier, IndiGo’s operational troubles have left a substantial gap in available seats, forcing remaining carriers to adjust their pricing accordingly.
International Flights Cheaper Than Domestic
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the current crisis triggered by IndiGo cancellations is the price comparison with international routes. A Delhi–Dubai flight on December 6 costs approximately ₹25,855, making it cheaper than many domestic options. This anomaly highlights the severity of the domestic aviation crisis, where flying internationally has become more economical than traveling within India.
A Bengaluru–Dubai ticket is available for around ₹15,000, while a Delhi–Bangkok fare stands at roughly ₹18,747. These international fares are significantly lower than comparable domestic routes, underscoring how IndiGo cancellations have distorted the usual pricing dynamics in Indian aviation.
Scale of Operational Disruption
The IndiGo cancellations have affected more than 500 flights nationwide, creating a ripple effect across the entire aviation ecosystem. Delays and cancellations have led to overcrowded airports, with frustrated passengers waiting for hours without clear communication from airline officials. All IndiGo departures from Delhi Airport were suspended until midnight on Friday, though other airlines continued operating normally.
The operational breakdown has been attributed to staff shortages and implementation of new crew rules, which have severely impacted the airline’s ability to maintain its flight schedule. Passengers across multiple airports have reported deep frustration over the lack of communication and assistance during this crisis period.
Regulatory Response and Relief Measures
Recognizing the severity of the situation caused by IndiGo cancellations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken proactive steps to facilitate the airline’s recovery. The regulatory body has authorized IndiGo to redeploy pilots currently on deputation with DGCA as inspectors back to flying duties, effectively increasing the airline’s operational capacity.
Additionally, DGCA has granted IndiGo a one-time temporary exemption from two critical rules governing late duty and late-night operations. This exemption, valid until February 10, 2026, is designed to support the airline’s recovery efforts and minimize further disruption to passengers. The regulatory flexibility aims to help IndiGo restore normal operations while maintaining safety standards.
Relief in Sight for Future Bookings
Despite the current crisis triggered by IndiGo cancellations, there are indications that the situation may normalize in the coming days. Travel platforms show significantly lower prices already visible for flights scheduled between December 9–12 on multiple Delhi routes. This suggests that as IndiGo gradually restores its operations and the immediate supply shortage eases, fares should return to more reasonable levels.
However, the current disruption serves as a reminder of how dependent India’s domestic aviation market is on IndiGo, which controls a substantial market share. The airline’s troubles have exposed vulnerabilities in the system and raised questions about contingency planning for such large-scale operational failures.
Impact on Passengers and Travel Plans
The IndiGo cancellations have forced thousands of passengers to either pay exorbitant fares, postpone their travel plans, or seek alternative transportation modes. Business travelers with urgent commitments and families with planned vacations have been particularly affected by this unprecedented situation. The crisis has highlighted the need for better passenger protection mechanisms and more transparent communication protocols during such disruptions.
As the aviation sector works toward stabilization, passengers are advised to monitor fare trends and consider flexible booking options for the immediate future.
