IndiGo Cancellations Send Domestic Fares Soaring; Dubai Cheaper

• IndiGo faces massive flight cancellations due to a severe pilot and crew shortage, exacerbated by new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules.
• The cancellations have caused domestic airfares to soar dramatically, with some routes like Delhi-Mumbai reaching nearly Rs 60,000 for a return ticket.
• Shockingly, international flights to destinations like Dubai and Europe are currently cheaper than many domestic routes, such as Delhi-Kolkata.
• IndiGo, which operates over 60% of India's domestic flights, plans to cut more flights for the next 2-3 days to stabilize schedules.
• The DGCA and Civil Aviation Ministry are monitoring the situation, instructing airport directors to assist passengers and closely tracking airfares to prevent exploitation.

Why It Matters: IndiGo's meltdown makes domestic flights pricier than international travel.