IndiGo Crisis: High Fares Expose India's Aviation Duopoly & DGCA Lapses

• IndiGo's operational crisis, including crew shortages, led to extreme fare hikes, with Delhi-Bareilly flights reaching ₹50,000.
• India's aviation sector suffers from a duopoly, primarily IndiGo and Air India, making it vulnerable to disruptions from a single major carrier.
• Dynamic pricing, combined with reduced seat availability due to IndiGo's grounded flights, pushed fares to exorbitant levels, burdening passengers.
• Experts criticize DGCA for regulatory lapses, alleging IndiGo previously pushed pilots beyond legal duty hours, contributing to current issues.
• Solutions proposed include reducing duopoly dependence, improving regional capacity, strengthening DGCA oversight, and enhancing airline accountability to prevent future crises.

Why It Matters: IndiGo's crisis shows India's aviation duopoly and weak regulation harm passengers.