Air India and Air India Express said on Saturday that they have been proactively restricting economy-class tickets on all non-stop domestic flights since December 4, despite the fact that IndiGo’s extensive operational delays continue to cause discomfort to thousands of travelers.
According to the airlines, the action is intended to stop dynamic pricing algorithms amid the continuing travel crisis from driving up last-minute ticket costs.
According to the airlines, the action was taken to make sure that travelers would not be burdened by the demand-and-supply-based pricing that automated revenue management systems usually use during the present spike in domestic travel.
The explanation follows the widespread social media circulation of screenshots showing abnormally high costs for one-stop or two-stop itineraries. Fare limitations do not apply to connecting flights or mixed-cabin combinations, such as premium economy or business, according to the airlines.
An Air India representative noted that many of these fare displays come from third-party booking sites and said, “It is not technically viable to limit all such permutations, but we are engaging such platforms to exert control.”
In order to enable passengers and their luggage get to their destinations as smoothly and swiftly as possible, Air India and Air India Express have said that they are attempting to increase capacity.
In the meanwhile, the airline was instructed by the civil aviation ministry on Saturday to finish refunding tickets for canceled flights by Sunday night and to make sure that any luggage that has been separated from customers is delivered within the next 48 hours.
The orders were issued one day after IndiGo, the biggest airline in the nation, had its fifth consecutive day of problems and had to cancel almost 1,000 flights. More than 400 flights were canceled at various airports on Saturday alone.
The government issued a warning that refund processing delays or noncompliance would result in prompt regulatory action. It said that all reimbursements for flights that were canceled or interrupted had to be finished by Sunday at 8 p.m.
The government also said that passengers whose travel plans were disrupted by cancellations should not be assessed rescheduling costs.
Additionally, IndiGo has been directed to establish specialized passenger service and refund facilitation units. These teams will be in charge of reaching out to impacted travelers in a proactive manner and making sure that refunds or other travel arrangements are handled without requiring passengers to follow up on a regular basis.
The statement claims that until IndiGo’s operations completely stabilize, an automated refund procedure will be in place.
The government also instructed the airline to make sure that any delayed or lost luggage arising from schedule changes or cancellations is located and given back to customers within 48 hours.
