New Delhi, Dec 6 (NationPress) In light of the extraordinary surge in domestic airfare arising from the IndiGo situation, Air India and Air India Express announced on Saturday their decision to proactively limit fare prices to curb the drastic fare increases observed since December 4.

"Air India and Air India Express wish to clarify that from December 4 onwards, economy class airfares on direct domestic flights have been proactively capped to mitigate the usual demand-and-supply dynamics imposed by revenue management systems," stated an Air India spokesperson.

The airline further acknowledged the existence of screenshots showcasing last-minute itineraries that include one-stop or two-stop flights, as well as combinations of economy, premium economy, or business class options sourced from third-party platforms.

"While it is not technically feasible to limit all such variations, we are actively engaging with these platforms to ensure oversight," the airline added.

Air India and Air India Express are also striving to enhance capacity to ensure travelers and their luggage reach their destinations as swiftly as possible, according to the spokesperson.

Earlier today, the Ministry of Civil Aviation exercised its regulatory authority to guarantee fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes in response to the operational crisis faced by IndiGo.

An official directive has been conveyed to all airlines mandating strict compliance with the newly established fare caps, which will remain effective until the situation returns to normal.

"The Ministry will continuously monitor fare levels through real-time data and active collaboration with airlines and online travel platforms. Any deviations from the established norms will result in immediate corrective actions in the broader public interest," the statement emphasized.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated that the ministry has instructed IndiGo to promptly process all pending passenger refunds and has mandated that the refund procedure for all canceled or disrupted flights must be finalized by 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

"The Ministry has required IndiGo to ensure that all luggage separated from passengers due to cancellations or delays is located and delivered to the passenger's home or designated address within the next 48 hours," the Minister concluded.