Air India Group Caps Fares, Waives Fees to Aid Passengers Stranded by IndiGo Crisis

The Air India Group has stepped in to ease travel issues caused by IndiGo, capping domestic economy fares and waiving change and cancellation fees for affected travellers.

What Are the Two Key Measures Announced?

The group has implemented a two-pronged strategy: controlling prices and offering booking flexibility.

The specific measures are:

• Fee Waivers: Eligible domestic bookings made from December 4 to 15, 2025, can use a one-time waiver on change and cancellation fees. They are also following the Civil Aviation Ministry’s official fare cap issued on December 6.
• Fee Waivers: A special one-time waiver for change and cancellation fees applies to eligible domestic tickets booked between December 4 and 15, 2025.

Also Read: Indigo Crisis: Government Caps Airfares as IndiGo Cancellations Strand Passengers for Fifth Day

How Do the Fee Waivers Work?

Designed to help passengers adjust their plans, the waiver provides maximum flexibility. The official release says:

Eligible passengers can:

• Reschedule: Move your booking to a future date within the ticket’s validity without paying a rescheduling fee. Any fare difference for the new flight will still apply.
• Cancel: Cancel their booking and receive a full refund without any cancellation fee.
• Deadline: This waiver is applicable for changes or cancellations made until December 8, 2025.

How Can Passengers Avail These Benefits?

The airlines have set up multiple channels and strengthened support to manage the expected rise in requests.

Passengers can modify their bookings through:

• The 24x7 contact centres of either Air India or Air India Express.
• Their travel agents worldwide.
• Air India Express guests have additional digital options: the WhatsApp chatbot 'Tia', the airline's website, mobile app, and Facebook Messenger.

The group has added extra staff at contact centres to handle high call volumes and shorten wait times for stressed passengers.

What is the Context of This Announcement?

This passenger-focused move comes as IndiGo’s crisis enters its fifth day, with more than 2,000 flight cancellations. The DGCA issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo’s CEO on Saturday, calling it a “serious operational crisis.”

By capping fares, Air India prevents price gouging on its own network. By waiving fees, it attracts stranded passengers looking for reliable alternatives without the fear of last-minute penalty charges, positioning itself as a stable option during the sector-wide turmoil.

Your Questions Answered: Air India Relief Measures FAQs

Q: Until when are the fare caps in place?

A: The proactive caps by Air India have been in effect since December 4. They will now also comply with the duration set by the Ministry of Civil Aviation's official cap order issued on December 6. The exact end date for the ministry's caps has not been specified but is linked to market normalization.

Q: I have an Air India ticket booked before December 4. Am I eligible for the fee waiver?

A: No. Only tickets booked from December 4 to 15, 2025, are eligible for this one-time waiver, which must be used by December 8, 2025.

Q: If I reschedule, will I pay more?

A: You can change your flight without a fee, but any extra fare for the new flight must be paid.

Q: How is this different from the government's fare cap?

A: The government's cap is a regulatory order for all airlines. Air India's announcement includes both compliance with that order and its own earlier, proactive cap, plus the added benefit of the fee waiver, which is a commercial decision to aid customers.

Q: What should I do if I'm stranded due to an IndiGo cancellation?

A: Alternative airlines like Air India are available. Ensure you understand the waiver rules and contact their expanded centres for help with new bookings or modifications.

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