New Delhi, 6 Dec

The Indian government on Saturday introduced airfare caps amid IndiGo flight disruptions that had pushed air ticket prices higher in many routes.

For five days in a row, IndiGo, the country's largest airline, has cancelled hundreds of flights, primarily due to crew woes.

With a lesser number of flights, airfares on certain routes have surged.

Taking a serious note of the situation, the Civil Aviation Ministry said it has invoked regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes.

The limits will be in place till the situation stabilises, the Ministry said in a statement.

“An official directive has been issued to all airlines mandating strict adherence to the fare caps that have now been prescribed," it said.

The Ministry has also directed the airline to complete the ticket refund process for the cancelled flights by Sunday evening, as well as ensure baggage separated from the travellers are delivered in the next two days.

A day after the country's largest airline, IndiGo, cancelled more than 1,000 flights and caused disruptions for the fifth day on Saturday, the ministry said that any delay or non-compliance in refund processing will invite immediate regulatory action.

The refund process for all cancelled or disrupted flights must be completed by 8 pm on Sunday, the ministry said in a statement.

"Airlines have also been instructed not to levy any rescheduling charges for passengers whose travel plans were affected by cancellations," it said.