IndiGo's Unprecedented Crisis Spurs Government Intervention in Airfare Regulation

India's largest airline, IndiGo, is facing a significant crisis after cancelling thousands of flights due to a lack of pilots prepared for new duty rules. This has led to increased airfares and government intervention, including fare caps and additional train services to ease passenger disruptions.

IndiGo, India's largest airline, grappled with a massive operational disruption, cancelling 385 flights on Saturday in a crisis that has severely impacted the nation's air travel. The cancellations resulted from a shortage of pilots ready to comply with new regulations on duty hours, prompting a spike in airfares.

The Indian government responded by capping airfares and providing relief for IndiGo, while deploying additional trains to clear the passenger backlog. This move aims to maintain pricing discipline as other airlines increased fares on popular routes unaffected by the crisis.

With its reputation at stake, IndiGo faced criticism from pilot labor groups, who argued that safety regulations should not be compromised. The airline plans to normalize operations by mid-December, as it continues to navigate the challenges posed by the new pilot work-hour rules.

(With inputs from agencies.)