Air India waives change fees, caps fares to Rs 7,500–18,000
Air India waives change fees, caps fares to Rs 7,500–18,000
Air India rolls out a one-time waiver on domestic changes and cancellations as govt caps economy fares, aiming to ease travel chaos after IndiGo disruptions.
Air India is stepping in to ease travel turmoil gripping Indian airports after IndiGo's five-day disruption triggered delays, overcrowding, and sudden fare spikes. The Tata-owned carrier announced a series of relief measures for domestic travelers, including a one-time waiver on change and cancellation fees for bookings and an early cap on economy fares on non-stop domestic routes. The changes are aligned with new instructions from the Civil Aviation Ministry issued on Saturday to curb price spikes.
Under the one-time waiver, passengers who booked domestic Air India or Air India Express tickets up to December 4 for travel through December 15 can shift their travel to a later date without any rescheduling fee, provided the new date remains within the original ticket validity. They may also cancel and receive a full refund with no cancellation fee. The waiver is valid for changes or cancellations made until December 8, 2025, though any fare difference at the time of rescheduling will apply.
The Civil Aviation Ministry’s guidelines cap economy fares on various routes: up to 500 km at a maximum of Rs 7,500; sectors between 1,000 and 1,500 km, such as Delhi–Mumbai, at Rs 15,000; and flights longer than 1,500 km at Rs 18,000. Business-class fares are not included in these caps. Air India and Air India Express said they are aligning their systems with these caps to maintain affordable options amid fluctuating demand.
Separately, the aviation ministry issued a directive to IndiGo to complete refunds for all cancelled and delayed flights by 8 pm on Sunday and to return baggage as part of this push. The government action reflects ongoing efforts to stabilize prices and restore traveler confidence after the disruptions, with carriers under pressure to provide transparent refunds and avoid abrupt fare spikes. Travelers are advised to check their bookings and the airline’s official channels for the latest guidance as the situation evolves.
Cover image source: Inflation, capacity and crisis: How the govt fixed the Rs 7,500–18,000 fare caps 🔗
