NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) will lift temporary caps on domestic airfares from March 23, following the stabilisation of flight operations and restoration of capacity, sources said.
The fare restrictions were introduced in December 2025 after widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo triggered a severe capacity crunch, leading to a sharp surge in ticket prices across major domestic routes.
With operations now returning to normal, the government has decided to revert to a market-driven pricing mechanism. However, the ministry has cautioned airlines against imposing unreasonable fares and stressed the need for transparency in pricing.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will continue to monitor airfare trends in real time and may intervene if unjustified price hikes are observed.
Earlier, on December 6, 2025, the ministry had stepped in after receiving complaints of exorbitant ticket prices during the disruption. It had mandated strict adherence to fare caps to prevent exploitation of passengers and ensure affordability, particularly for vulnerable travellers such as senior citizens, students and patients.
Officials said the move to lift the caps reflects improved operational stability in the aviation sector, while regulatory oversight will remain in place to safeguard passenger interests.
