Air India & Air India Express Cap Fares, Offer Refunds Amid IndiGo Flight

Following a directive from the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Air India and Air India Express have implemented fare caps on economy class tickets for non-stop domestic routes, effective December 4. This measure aims to stabilize pricing and mitigate the impact of widespread flight disruptions, particularly those stemming from recent IndiGo cancellations that have affected thousands of passengers. The airlines are actively rolling out these revised fares across all booking systems to ensure full compliance.

In response to the travel upheaval, both carriers are offering a one-time free change or cancellation for eligible passengers. This applies to tickets booked on or before December 4 for travel scheduled up to December 15. Passengers must process these changes or cancellations by December 8; however, any rescheduled trips may incur fare differences. Furthermore, Air India and Air India Express are providing refunds for fare differentials to passengers who booked economy tickets during the transition period where higher fares were briefly charged above the MoCA-prescribed cap.

To further assist affected travelers, the airlines have significantly bolstered their operational and customer support. This includes deploying additional staff to 24x7 contact centers and travel agents to manage increased call volumes. Operationally, extra flights are being added on busy routes, and complimentary cabin upgrades are being offered where feasible to maximize seat availability and clear passenger backlogs. Special discounted fares are also available online for specific demographics, including students, senior citizens, and armed forces personnel and their dependents, underscoring a comprehensive effort to manage the situation.