Wed Dec 17 08:46:21 UTC 2025: Summary:

The Delhi High Court declined to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking higher compensation for IndiGo passengers affected by flight cancellations in November and December 2025. The cancellations resulted from the rollout of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations. The court stated it was already addressing the issue in another PIL and suggested the petitioner, the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), intervene in that case. CASC argued for an inquiry into the DGCA’s role in the crisis, citing widespread disruption and inconvenience to passengers. The court had previously questioned the government’s delayed response to the situation.

News Article:

Delhi High Court Dismisses PIL for Higher IndiGo Flight Cancellation Compensation

New Delhi, December 17, 2025 – The Delhi High Court today dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a fourfold increase in compensation for IndiGo passengers whose flights were cancelled during November and December of 2025. The cancellations stemmed from the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya stated that the court was already addressing the IndiGo flight cancellation crisis in a separate PIL. They suggested that the petitioner, the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), seek to intervene in the existing case.

CASC, represented by Advocate Virag Gupta, argued that the sudden flight disruptions caused severe inconvenience to passengers, including misdirected baggage, excessive delays, and inadequate communication from IndiGo. The PIL also called for an inquiry, led by a retired judge or Lokpal, into the Directorate of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) role in the crisis.

The High Court previously questioned the central government’s delayed response to the crisis, asking why the situation was allowed to escalate, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and leading to increased fares on other airlines. IndiGo has cited regulatory changes in pilot duty regulations as the reason for the mass cancellations, facing scrutiny from both the government and affected passengers.

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