Domestic Flight Prices Soar Higher Than International Travel Amid IndiGo's Massive Cancellation Crisis

The ongoing disruption affecting hundreds of IndiGo flights is significantly increasing financial burden on passengers. Flight prices have escalated dramatically, with stranded travelers facing challenges securing last-minute bookings with alternative airlines.

This sudden surge in demand has created ripple effects across flight booking platforms, causing prices to double or triple for air travel, which remains a luxury for most of India's population.

Interestingly, flights to several international destinations are now less expensive than many busy domestic routes, as international flights remain largely unaffected by the crisis.

Between Delhi and Mumbai, one of the world's busiest routes, return economy flights now cost approximately Rs 60,000. This represents a threefold increase from the typical last-minute booking price of around Rs 20,000. One-way travel on this route currently costs approximately Rs 35,000.

Currently, no flights are available connecting Delhi with Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Lucknow today. Travelers looking to fly to Hyderabad tomorrow must pay over Rs 48,000 for an economy ticket that normally costs under Rs 7,000.

These fares are fluctuating constantly based on demand and other factors.

For Delhi-Kolkata, an available flight today is priced at nearly Rs 32,000. A round trip tomorrow costs Rs 85,000 on the same route, making it more expensive than traveling to Europe. The lowest-priced Delhi-London flight costs approximately Rs 25,000, while Delhi-Paris flights are available for under Rs 25,000. Round-trips to both European destinations cost less than Rs 60,000.

IndiGo has cancelled all domestic flights from Delhi Airport until midnight, which is just part of the 523 cancellations reported today. With limited options, passengers must pay premium prices for last-minute bookings with other airlines.

The disruption extends beyond flights connected to Delhi.

The most affordable flight between Mumbai and Chennai now costs approximately Rs 60,000, with a stopover in Delhi, whereas the same journey typically costs less than Rs 4,500 when booked a week in advance.

Seats on Mumbai-Srinagar flights, normally priced at under Rs 10,000, are now being sold for a minimum of Rs 62,000 one way. A return ticket booked for the following day increases the total to over Rs 92,000.

The operational crisis forcing IndiGo to cancel hundreds of flights stems from a shortage of pilots and flight crew following the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules, which mandate longer rest periods for staff.

IndiGo has acknowledged that it underestimated the number of pilots required under the new FDTL regulations, leading to the current crisis.