Ram Mohan Naidu says IndiGo is being held accountable for flight chaos. (Photo: ANI)
Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday addressed the Lok Sabha regarding the recent mass cancellations and delays faced by IndiGo over the past eight days. The minister attributed the disruptions to internal rostering issues within the airline and assured that operations were stabilising rapidly. “Accountability will be ensured,” Naidu emphasised.
Naidu informed Parliament that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued show cause notices to senior officials of IndiGo and initiated a detailed enforcement investigation. “Depending on the outcome, strict and appropriate action, as empowered under the aircraft rules and act, will be taken,” he added.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to passenger welfare, the minister said more than ₹750 crore in refunds have already been issued and baggage handling issues are being resolved. “Operations are stabilising fast, safety remains fully in force, IndiGo is being held accountable, passengers’ convenience and dignity are being protected,” he told the Lok Sabha. Rebookings have been done without extra charges, and the airline assured full compliance with flight duty norms.
Following continued disruptions, the DGCA directed IndiGo to reduce its winter schedule by 5% across all sectors. The regulator also asked the airline to submit a revised schedule by 5 pm on December 10. In November, IndiGo completed 59,438 of 64,346 approved flights, with 951 cancellations. Although the airline had been allowed a 6% increase in flights compared to the summer schedule, it operated fewer aircraft than planned, prompting the reduction.
Naidu stressed that no airline, regardless of size, would be allowed to inconvenience passengers due to planning failures or non-compliance. He added that the government is committed to creating a robust and competitive aviation ecosystem, encouraging new airlines to operate in India. The opposition, led by the Congress, staged a walkout after the minister’s statement.
The DGCA highlighted that despite increasing departures by nearly 10% compared to Winter 2024, IndiGo “has not demonstrated the ability to operate schedules efficiently.” The directive mandates avoiding single-flight operations on high-demand routes and ensuring operational stability during the winter schedule.
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience covering Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes that every voice matters, and journalism has a vital role to play in amplifying those voices. Sofia is committed to creating impact and shedding light on stories that truly matter. Beyond her work in the newsroom, she is also a music enthusiast who enjoys singing.
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