New Delhi: The government will take “very, very strict action” against IndiGo following more than 2,000 flight cancellations this month, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu told Parliament on 8 December, amid rising public anger and major disruptions across the country.
India’s largest airline has been grappling with a severe operational crisis triggered by crew shortages, after it failed to plan adequately for the implementation of stricter Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms. The cancellations left tens of thousands of passengers stranded, affecting holidays, weddings and business travel, while many also complained about lost luggage.
Naidu said the crisis was caused by “problems in [IndiGo’s] crew rostering and internal planning ecosystem,” adding that the airline was responsible for managing rosters through day-to-day operations.
“We are ensuring that FDTL is properly implemented and there has been no compromise on that front,” he said.
The turmoil has also renewed concerns about the risks of a single airline dominating India’s aviation market of 1.4 billion people. IndiGo’s shares have plunged nearly 17 per cent in the past week, wiping out about $4.3 billion in market value, including an 8.3 per cent fall on Monday alone.
The minister said the ongoing inquiry would “set an example” for other airlines that violate regulations.
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