Amid frequent disruptions, flyers filed 42,000 plaints in 3.5 months

The ministry said the PACR had tightened grievance redressal timelines, particularly for high-friction issues like flight delays, cancellations and refunds, while improving coordination across airlines, airports and regulators.

According to the data, refunds and cancellations emerged as the biggest flashpoint, with 19,722 complaints filed and 19,433 resolved. Flight delays triggered 7,272 grievances, with 7,218 closed; while baggage-related issues accounted for 5,502 complaints, of which 5,376 were addressed. Passengers also flagged 9,626 issues in other service-related categories, with 8,404 cases resolved so far.

Officials said the round-the-clock monitoring system, spanning helplines, social media and digital platforms, was now enabling near real-time intervention, ensuring airlines respond faster and passengers were not left stranded during disruptions.

Even as fares remain deregulated under Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, the government has made it clear that it was keeping a close watch on pricing trends. It retains the power to step in during extraordinary situations to prevent fare spikes and stabilise the market.

Such interventions were witnessed during high-pressure periods, including the pandemic, Maha Kumbh travel rush, the Pahalgam incident, and the recent wave of disruptions involving IndiGo, when capacity redistribution and temporary fare caps were enforced.