NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned the Central government over its handling of widespread flight disruptions caused by IndiGo, demanding explanations for airfares that surged to Rs 35,000–Rs 39,000 and asking what immediate steps were taken to assist stranded passengers.
Justice Gedela questioned how the situation was allowed to escalate and why other airlines were permitted to exploit the crisis. “Why did such a situation even precipitate? What steps were taken to assist passengers?” the court asked, according to Live Law. “Question also is, if there was a crisis how can other airlines be permitted to take advantage? How can it go to 35-39k? How could other airlines start charging? How can it happen?”
The Additional Solicitor General informed the court that a show-cause notice had been served to IndiGo, to which the airline responded with a “profuse apology.” He also stated that implementation of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) scheme had been delayed since 2024 due to the carrier’s repeated requests for extensions and continued assurances before the single-judge bench.
The bench directed the government to clarify what arrangements were made to manage stranded travelers and prevent harassment at airports. “If they failed, what action did you take? You allowed the situation to reach this point,” the court said.
The IndiGo crisis has drawn scrutiny from both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court amid growing frustration among air travelers. The High Court agreed to hear a petition on the matter after the Supreme Court acknowledged the severity of the situation while declining an urgent hearing. “It is 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,” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated.
IndiGo has faced sharp criticism from the Central government and passengers after canceling hundreds of flights since December 2. The airline attributed the large-scale disruptions to changes in pilots’ flight duty and rest regulations. The cancellations have caused significant inconvenience, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the country.