Aviation minister warns IndiGo after massive disruptions, says new rostering rules ‘non-negotiable’
PTC Web Desk: Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu issued a strong warning to IndiGo in Parliament on Wednesday, saying the revised duty and rostering norms for pilots and cabin crew would not be rolled back under any circumstances. Addressing the Lok Sabha amid opposition protests, Naidu said strict action would be taken against IndiGo for the large-scale disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded across Indian airports.
He said flight cancellations at IndiGo were now “stabilising,” but made it clear that even the country’s largest airline would not be allowed to inconvenience travellers due to operational lapses. “No airline, however big, will be allowed to cause hardship to passengers through planning failures, non-compliance or violation of statutory rules,” he stated.
The remarks came after IndiGo cancelled nearly 500 flights on Tuesday, as the crisis entered its second week. The airline has faced severe manpower shortages after implementing the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules for night operations. In response, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted IndiGo a temporary relaxation from the stricter norms to ease the pressure.
However, the exemption triggered sharp criticism from aviation experts, who accused the government of yielding to pressure from an airline that controls almost two-thirds of India’s domestic aviation market.
Naidu informed Parliament that the Ministry of Civil Aviation was closely monitoring refunds, baggage-related issues, and passenger assistance. IndiGo, he said, had already processed Rs 750 crore in refunds for impacted travellers. A detailed investigation into the disruptions is also underway.
Highlighting concerns over market concentration, the minister said the government was actively encouraging new airlines to enter the sector to avoid a duopoly-like situation. IndiGo holds around 65% of India’s domestic market, while Air India accounts for about 27%.
“Safety in civil aviation is completely non-negotiable. The government is committed to building a strong, competitive and resilient aviation ecosystem,” Naidu added.
- With inputs from agencies
