Amidst the operational chaos of India's largest airline, IndiGo, the central government is now adopting a firm position. Observing the massive flight disruptions and inconvenience to thousands of passengers, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has clearly indicated that the government will not compromise. He mentioned this issue is not just about technical glitches but also accountability, and upcoming actions will set a precedent for the entire aviation sector.
“Actions to Set an Example for the Aviation Sector”
In an exclusive conversation with Aaj Tak, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu maintained a strict stance on the IndiGo crisis, stating that the government will take robust steps to serve as a benchmark for the entire aviation sector. He emphasized, “Such firm actions will be taken that no aviation operator will take the ministry lightly.”
“High-Level Committee Under Investigation”
The minister clarified that financial and punitive actions of all kinds will be undertaken. A high-level committee is investigating, and after the process is completed, the determined steps will be executed. Ram Mohan Naidu pointed out that the entire fiasco and responsibility lie with IndiGo and questioned why issues commenced on December 3rd despite the rules being in effect.
Naidu expressed, “How did this happen? It's astonishing. As a major airline operating in the aviation industry for years, and after maintaining top OTP (on-time performance) for the past 20 years, a sudden drop to below double digits in performance is concerning.”
850 Flights Canceled on Saturday
IndiGo has stated that over 800 flights were canceled on Saturday, a reduction compared to more than 1,000 flights canceled on Friday. The airline asserted that it prioritizes handling all customer refund requests. Following significant relief from the DGCA, IndiGo reported working swiftly and emphatically to restore normal operations across its network. The DGCA eased the second phase of new Flight Duty and Time Limitations (FDTL) rules for pilots, given the airline's severe challenges with roster planning and crew availability under the new system.
In a statement, IndiGo remarked, “The number of flights canceled on Saturday was less than 850, which is significantly lower compared to Friday. Efforts are ongoing to further reduce this number in the coming days.” The airline highlighted focusing on stabilizing schedules, reducing delays, and supporting passengers throughout this phase. Moreover, it emphasized providing timely updates to passengers through terminals, websites, and direct notifications, working closely with all airports and partners.
Ministry Issues Strict Directives on Refunds
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed the airline to complete refunds for all canceled flights by Sunday evening and to deliver baggage separated due to flight disruptions within the next two days. The ministry warned that any delay or non-compliance in the refund process will meet with immediate firm action.
According to the ministry, refunds for all canceled or disrupted flights must be completed by 8 PM Sunday night. No rescheduling charges will be imposed on affected passengers. IndiGo has been directed to establish a special passenger assistance and refund cell. The ‘automatic refund’ mechanism will continue until operations are fully normalized. Additionally, the ministry stated that baggage separated due to flight cancellations or delays must be found and returned to passengers within 48 hours.
