Travel plans for millions of passengers have been thrown into disarray as large-scale flight cancellations by budget carrier IndiGo entered a punishing fifth consecutive day on Saturday. The cascading crisis triggered an unprecedented and shocking surge in domestic airfares from Hyderabad, with tickets to several Indian cities becoming more expensive than flights to major global destinations like New York, London, or Melbourne.
Domestic Fares Defy Logic, Surpass International Prices
The situation reached a surreal peak for Sunday travel. The cheapest one-way fare from Hyderabad to Guwahati and Kolkata skyrocketed to an astonishing Rs 45,000 to Rs 55,000. In a stark and illogical contrast, prospective travelers could book flights to international hubs such as New York and Chicago for under Rs 45,000. Tickets to London were available for around Rs 25,000, which was notably cheaper than a Rs 30,000 ticket to Lucknow on the same day.
Airfares to other domestic destinations like Patna, Bhopal, and Jaipur witnessed a six to eight-fold increase compared to their usual rates. Even major metro routes such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai saw fares multiply by three to four times. Perhaps the most jarring comparison was for a short hop to Visakhapatnam. While the cheapest fare to Malaysia was around Rs 17,000 and to Singapore under Rs 15,000, the price for a Sunday flight to Vizag ballooned to a staggering Rs 23,000.
Government Steps In, Imposes Fare Caps
Responding to the widespread passenger outrage and market distortion, the Centre intervened on Saturday by imposing strict caps on airfares. The civil aviation ministry stated that the widespread disruptions in flight operations had led to an unreasonable surge in fares on numerous sectors. The regulatory body warned that action would be taken against airlines for any non-compliance.
The newly mandated fare limits are as follows: for flights up to 500 km, the cap is set at Rs 7,500. For distances between 500-1,000 km, the maximum fare is Rs 12,000. For journeys spanning 1,000-1,500 km, the cap is Rs 15,000, and for any flight above 1,500 km, the ticket price cannot exceed Rs 18,000. The ministry clarified that these limits would remain in effect until the operational situation stabilizes.
Passenger Fury Over 'Daylight Robbery'
Stranded and frustrated passengers expressed their anger, labeling the fare hikes as exploitative and akin to 'daylight robbery'. A Varun Reddy, an IT professional from Madhapur, shared his ordeal. "How can a 1.30-hour flight to Vizag cost more than a ticket to Singapore? This is pure exploitation. With flights overpriced and train tickets sold out, I have decided to travel by bus—a 10-hour journey," he said, explaining his need to attend a family event in the Port City.
Another traveler, Deepthi Singh, who planned a family trip to Lucknow after a long break, had to postpone her visit entirely. "We checked all airlines—even connecting flights were quoting Rs 30,000-plus and we had to postpone because it made no sense. Airlines know people are desperate and they are taking advantage," she lamented. The sentiment echoed across social media and airport terminals, with many stating they had never witnessed domestic airfares reach such 'insane' levels.
The ongoing crisis highlights the vulnerability of India's air travel ecosystem to operational disruptions by a major player. While the government's fare cap provides immediate relief, passengers now face the secondary challenge of securing available tickets within the capped prices, as airlines adjust their schedules amid the cancellations.
