New Delhi: Low-cost carrier IndiGo has processed refunds totalling Rs 610 crore so far, following government directives mandating that all refunds for cancelled or severely delayed flights be completed by 8 p.m. on Sunday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said.
The ministry clarified that no additional fees are allowed for rescheduling travel affected by cancellations. Dedicated support cells have been set up to assist passengers proactively, ensuring refund and rebooking issues are resolved quickly and without inconvenience.
IndiGo’s operational performance has shown steady improvement, with flight schedules moving back toward normal levels. The airline increased its operations from 706 flights on Friday to 1,565 on Saturday, and is expected to operate up to 1,650 flights by the end of Sunday. Other domestic carriers are operating smoothly and at full capacity, the statement added.
In response to recent cancellations that caused a surge in demand and a temporary increase in airfares, the government implemented an immediate cap on airfares to ensure fairness and affordability. Since the order’s implementation, fares on affected routes have moderated to acceptable levels. All airlines have been instructed to comply strictly with the revised fare structure.
IndiGo has also been directed to trace and deliver all baggage separated from passengers due to operational disruptions within 48 hours, maintaining continuous communication throughout the process. As of Saturday, the airline has successfully returned 3,000 pieces of baggage to passengers across India.
Airport Directors from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Goa confirmed normal terminal conditions on Sunday. Passenger movement remains smooth, with no congestion at check-in, security, or boarding points. On-ground support has been strengthened with enhanced monitoring and timely deployment of assistance by airport operators and CISF.
“The MoCA’s 24×7 Control Room continues to function as an integrated coordination hub, overseeing flight operations, airport conditions, and passenger support requirements. Passenger calls are being promptly attended to, with necessary assistance provided. Our teams remain deployed on the ground to supervise operational planning, crew rostering, and passenger handling standards, ensuring full compliance,” the statement said.
The ministry emphasised that rapid and decisive steps have been taken to address the recent IndiGo operational crisis, ensuring passengers do not face continued inconvenience. Air travel operations across the country are stabilising quickly, and corrective measures will remain in place until full normalcy is achieved.
MoCA added that vigilant monitoring will continue to fully protect passenger rights and interests, with further updates to be shared as required.
With IANS inputs