The government informed Parliament on Monday that IndiGo did not flag any problem during a meeting held on December 1. However, just one day later, the airline began cancelling flights on a massive scale. This sudden turn of events left both the government and passengers shocked.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu pointed directly at the airline’s internal systems. At the same time, he strongly defended the new Flight Duty Time Limitations, or FDTL, which came into force in November.
“The IndiGo crisis happened due to problems in its crew rostering and internal planning system," Naidu said while answering a question by MP Pramod Tiwari.
Cancellations disrupt travel plans nationwide
The cancellation wave began on Tuesday afternoon and then continued throughout the week. By Monday, the disruption had entered its seventh straight day. During this period, the airline cancelled more than 4,500 flights.
Since IndiGo controls nearly 60 percent of India’s domestic aviation market, the impact was widespread. Thousands of passengers were left stranded at airports. Many others had to change or cancel their travel plans at the last minute.
As the scale of IndiGo’s dominance in the sector was discussed in the House, Naidu made it clear that the government wants more competition. “I want more players in the industry. Today, India has a capacity of five big airlines and there has been an effort from the ministry to encourage more airlines,” he said.
Refunds issued to lakhs of passengers
Naidu also addressed growing concerns about refunds. He revealed that 5,86,705 passenger bookings were affected by cancellations. For these, the airline has already issued ₹569 crore in refunds.
“For passengers who faced difficulties due to delays and cancellations, strict Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) are in place, and airlines must comply. An inquiry has been initiated into the software issue. Continuous technology upgradation is part of this sector, and our vision is to ensure top global standards for India’s aviation sector,” Naidu said.
Inquiry underway, criticism mounts
IndiGo faced heavy criticism from both passengers and the government over the past week. In response to the situation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued a show cause notice to the airline. Later, the regulator allowed IndiGo an additional 24 hours to submit its explanation.
Even as the airline claimed that operations were slowly stabilising, more than 400 new cancellations were reported on Monday morning.
Naidu again blamed IndiGo’s “mismanagement” for the disruption. He also pointed out that other airlines adjusted to the new rostering rules without major trouble. Due to the severe situation, the government eventually gave IndiGo temporary relief from certain FDTL norms to help restore normal services faster.
Meanwhile, authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, as passengers wait for complete stability in flight operations.