December Travel Chaos: Government Orders IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa to Share Fare Data

As per Reuters, the Indian government has directed major airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet and Akasa, to submit fare data following widespread travel disruptions during December.  

The cancellations and fare hikes have led to scrutiny from the Competition Commission of India (CCI). 

Airlines Face Scrutiny After December Flight Disruptions 

In December 2025, IndiGo was forced to cancel nearly 4,500 flights across India due to a shortage of pilots. Holding a 65% market share, such large-scale cancellations disrupted travel nationwide, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.  

The situation triggered a spike in flight fares on several routes during the peak holiday season. The spike prompted the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to request fare details from IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa.  

According to a government email reviewed by Reuters, the request focused on average fare data for all routes operated between December 1 and 15, for both economy and premium economy classes. 

CCI Investigates Alleged Abuse of Dominant Market Position 

The CCI has also initiated an investigation into whether IndiGo, given its market dominance, engaged in unfair practices by cancelling flights and offering available seats at significantly higher prices.  

The complaint under assessment alleges that this behaviour may constitute abuse of a dominant position in the market. As part of the inquiry, airlines have been asked to submit detailed fare data for specific affected routes.  

A government official confirmed that this information was specifically requested by the CCI to assist in identifying airfare trends and pricing behaviour across airlines during the disruption period. 

Read More: Tata Group’s Air India Eyes for New CEO to Replace Campbell Wilson! 

Conclusion 

The Indian government’s move to collect route-wise fare data from major airlines aims to understand pricing during the December travel chaos. The focus remains on IndiGo, given its market share and the scale of flight cancellations it experienced during that period. 

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