All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) advisor Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya on Friday sharply criticised IndiGo for what he described as unprecedented chaos in air travel, alleging that passengers from the Northeast are being forced to pay “exploitative” fares amid large-scale flight cancellations.
Dr Bhattacharjya said airfares on key routes from Guwahati to major metropolitan cities have skyrocketed to an “absurd” ₹25,000 to ₹48,000 for basic economy tickets, even on normal travel days. He alleged that sudden cancellations, lack of timely updates, and mounting passenger distress have highlighted what he termed “deliberate and blatant neglect” by the airline. He urged the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to intervene immediately to protect consumer rights.
His remarks came after widespread delays and cancellations affected IndiGo flights across the country on December 5, creating long queues and uncertainty at Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. Many passengers complained that flights continued to display “active” status on booking platforms despite being disrupted, forcing them to make last-minute travel decisions at steeply inflated prices.
Travellers reported scrambling for alternative flight options, as the sudden operational breakdown left many stranded without clarity on rebooking or refunds. AASU has warned that such recurring disruptions unfairly affect the Northeast, where air travel remains a crucial lifeline for connectivity.
