Indian airlines seek fare cap removal as Iran crisis hits operations

Spicejet

20/03/2026 11:15

Middle East war disrupts operations for Indian carriers

Fare cap causing financial strain amid rising costs, FIA warns

FIA urges withdrawal of rule requiring 60% seats without extra charge

Airlines may cut routes or defer expansion, federation warns

By Abhijith Ganapavaram and Aditya Kalra

NEW DELHI, March 20 (Reuters) - An airlines group representing IndiGo INGL.NS, Air India and SpiceJet SPJT.BO has warned the Indian government of route withdrawals and delayed fleet and network expansions if fare caps imposed in December are not revoked, a letter shows.

The letter highlights growing financial pain in the world's fastest-growing market where, even before the Iran crisis, airlines were hit hard by a Pakistani airspace ban for international operations due to diplomatic tensions.

In December, widespread aviation disruptions due to mass flight cancellations by IndiGo over operational issues prompted authorities to cap airfares depending on the distance, with the maximum being 18,000 rupees ($192.04) for a one-way journey.

The crisis has since eased, but caps remain in place without any timeline. Indian airlines are incurring "huge" revenue losses and face higher operational costs in part because of a jump in jet fuel prices due to the Iran war, the Federation of Indian Airlines said in a private letter to the government on March 12, seen by Reuters.

CURRENT SITUATION MAY THREATEN VIABILITY

"If the current situation continues, airlines will face severe financial losses, pushing several operators closer to unsustainable financial conditions and potentially threatening their continued viability," the March 12 letter, which was not made public, said.

The civil aviation ministry and the FIA did not respond to requests for comment. IndiGo and Air India, which control more than 90% of India's domestic market, did not respond. A spokesperson for SpiceJet also did not respond to a request for comment.

A $1 per barrel change in fuel prices could impact IndiGo's full-year fuel bill by about 3 billion rupees, HSBC analysts have said. Jet fuel prices have risen sharply in recent days due to the Middle East war.

IndiGo and Air India are also flying longer routes to reach Europe and North America owing to airspace restrictions.

In a separate letter sent on Thursday, the FIA also urged the government to withdraw a directive mandating that a minimum 60% of seats on any flight be made available without additional charges for seat selection, saying it could lead to higher fares.

($1 = 93.7320 Indian rupees)

 (Reporting by Abhijith Ganapavaram; Editing by Pooja Desai)

 ((Email: Abhijith.G@thomsonreuters.com; Mobile: +91-9019785574;))