Ministry of Civil Aviation Orders IndiGo to Clear All Passenger Refunds by December 7 Amid Flight Chaos
Reported by Akshata Pawar
New Delhi, 6th December 2025: In a major move to protect air travellers left stranded by IndiGo’s ongoing operational disruptions, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has mandated the airline to process all pending refunds immediately, ensuring passengers affected by cancellations and delays are reimbursed without further hassle.
According to official directives, IndiGo must complete all refund transactions by 8:00 PM on Sunday, 7 December 2025. Passengers whose travel plans were disrupted will not incur any rescheduling or cancellation charges. MoCA has warned that failure to comply will attract strict regulatory action.
To facilitate a smooth resolution, IndiGo has been instructed to establish dedicated Passenger Support and Refund Cells, tasked with proactively contacting affected travellers and ensuring refunds and alternative arrangements are handled efficiently. The airline’s automatic refund system will remain active until operations stabilize.
Baggage and Compensation Orders
MoCA has also ordered airlines to trace and deliver any baggage separated due to cancellations or delays within 48 hours. Clear communication regarding delivery timelines and, where applicable, compensation is mandatory under passenger rights regulations.
Fare Regulation Amid Crisis
The Ministry has invoked its regulatory powers to prevent opportunistic fare hikes, issuing strict instructions to all airlines to adhere to prescribed fare caps on affected routes until normal operations resume. The move particularly aims to protect vulnerable travellers, including senior citizens, students, patients, and those travelling urgently. Fare levels will be monitored in real time in coordination with airlines and travel platforms.
IndiGo’s Response and Public Backlash
IndiGo responded on X, stating that refunds for flights booked between 5 and 15 December 2025 would be processed automatically and that cancellation or rescheduling fees would be fully waived.
However, passengers quickly voiced frustration over delayed and partial refunds. Tweets highlighted cases where full ticket amounts were not refunded, and complaints were raised about inaccessible customer support and missed critical engagements, including medical appointments, weddings, and funerals.
Zero-Inconvenience Policy for Passengers
Reiterating its commitment to passenger welfare, MoCA is closely coordinating with airlines, airports, security agencies, and other stakeholders to provide support for senior citizens, differently-abled passengers, students, patients, and travellers with urgent needs. Oversight mechanisms have been reinforced to monitor the recovery process and restore operational normalcy as soon as possible.
By placing refunds, baggage handling, and fare regulation at the forefront, MoCA’s intervention aims to ensure passengers are not left in distress during IndiGo’s continuing operational crisis, signaling strong regulatory oversight of airlines’ responsibilities.
