Indigo flight cancellations: Delhi HC pulls up Centre over aviation crisis

Chaos continued across the country`s airports amid the Indigo flight cancellations on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

Amid the ongoing aviation crisis, the Delhi High Court (HC) on Wednesday pulled up the Union Government over the widespread cancellations and delays of Indigo flights. The court further asked why the situation was allowed to precipitate into a nationwide turmoil that stranded lakhs of passengers and inflicted losses on the national economy.

A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an independent judicial probe into the episode, asserted that the crisis is not confined to causing inconvenience to passengers, but it also affects the economy of the country, news agency IANS reported.

While hailing the initiatives taken by the civil aviation ministry and the DGCA, the Delhi HC said, "We appreciate the steps taken by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). However, what bothers us is how such a situation was allowed to precipitate, leaving lakhs of passengers unattended at airports."

The Chief Justice Upadhyaya-led Delhi HC Bench, while passing the order, further stated, "Such a situation is not confined to causing inconvenience to the passengers but also affects the economy of the country, as in the present day, fast movement of passengers is an important aspect to keep the economy functioning."

During the hearing, the court also asked the Centre to explain the legal provisions available to act against errant airlines, IANS reported.

While referring to powers vested in the DGCA and the Centre under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, the bench asked, "In case an airline fails to adhere to directions, what is the provision available to you? Are you helpless? We want to know under which provision or policy decision you would take action against them."

While filing a reply on behalf of the government, the Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma submitted that a high-level committee had been constituted and that the DGCA had issued a show-cause notice to Indigo, which had "apologised profusely", reported IANS. The Additional Solicitor General further added that fare caps were imposed within two days of the crisis.

However, the court also noted that ticket prices had already skyrocketed to Rs 30-40,000 by then, causing a major mishap across the country.

"If there was a crisis, how could other airlines take advantage? How was this allowed?" the court questioned.

Meanwhile, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, who appeared for Indigo, put up the company's defence and said that the disruption was a first-time event in 19 years of the airline's operations and was caused by "multiple factors", including technical issues.

Directing strict adherence to the DGCA's compensation rules, the Delhi HC said, "IndiGo must 'immediately' begin compensating passengers," adding that compensation should not be limited to cancellations but must account for the "agony caused by hostile staff and prolonged delays."

Taking note of the inadequacies in the PIL, the chief justice-led bench remarked that it was invoking its jurisdiction in view of the public interest involved.

The matter will be heard next on January 22, 2026, with the HC directing that the inquiry report, if ready, be placed before it in a sealed cover.

(With inputs from IANS)