In a major move to deregulate the aviation sector, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to remove the temporary upper limit on domestic airfares effective from today, March 23. Alongside this, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has released the new summer schedule for domestic flights, effective from March 29 to October 24.

The fare cap was initially introduced in December 2025 to protect passengers from skyrocketing ticket prices during operational disruptions faced by Indigo. However, the ministry stated that since the situation has now stabilized and services have normalized, the pricing restrictions are no longer necessary. Airlines are now free to determine ticket prices based on market demand and supply.

Despite the deregulation, the government has issued a stern warning to airlines to maintain “fare discipline.” The ministry emphasized that pricing must remain transparent and reasonable. A real-time monitoring system will be in place to ensure that passengers are not exploited during festive seasons or periods of high demand. Passengers are also advised to check airline websites for any last-minute schedule changes due to operational emergencies as per the new DGCA guidelines.