New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on 4 December took strong note of the widespread operational disruptions and flight cancellations across IndiGo’s network, prompting an urgent review meeting chaired by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry, the Secretary of Civil Aviation, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and representatives from the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
IndiGo briefed the Ministry on the spike in cancellations, attributing the strain on operations to crew planning issues arising from the phased implementation of revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms and seasonal weather-related challenges. The norms were rolled out in stages following court directions to strengthen fatigue management and ensure flight safety.
The Minister, however, expressed clear displeasure over the airline’s handling of the situation, stressing that IndiGo had adequate preparation time to ensure a smooth transition. He directed the carrier to immediately stabilise operations and cautioned against any fare hikes linked to the ongoing disruptions.
Emphasising passenger welfare, Naidu instructed IndiGo to issue advance alerts for potential cancellations and provide timely assistance, including hotel accommodation where necessary, to minimise inconvenience. He separately met senior AAI officials and directed airport directors to monitor ground situations continuously and extend full support to affected passengers.
MoCA has tasked the DGCA with strict, real-time oversight of IndiGo’s operations, including field inspections and monitoring at operational control centres. The Ministry reiterated its commitment to safeguarding passenger rights and ensuring swift restoration of normalcy across the airline’s network.
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