Government Takes Action as IndiGo Faces Massive Flight Disruptions and Cancellations

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that the government is maintaining close oversight of IndiGo's operational recovery efforts and passenger support measures until complete stability is restored.

In New Delhi, authorities have expressed serious concern regarding the recent widespread operational disruptions and flight cancellations across IndiGo's network.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu convened a high-level review meeting with IndiGo's senior management team, attended by the Civil Aviation Secretary, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), senior ministry officials, and representatives from the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

During the meeting, IndiGo presented data detailing cancellations and explained that the disruptions stemmed from challenges in crew planning, implementation of revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, and seasonal weather-related constraints.

The ministry acknowledged that "the revised FDTL regulations were implemented in phases as per the Court directions to ensure improved fatigue management and enhanced flight safety."

Minister Naidu clearly expressed his dissatisfaction with the airline's handling of the situation, emphasizing that the carrier had been given sufficient time to prepare for a smooth transition to the new regulatory requirements.

The minister has directed IndiGo to normalize operations urgently and ensure that airfares do not increase due to the current circumstances. Additionally, he instructed the airline to proactively inform passengers about potential cancellations well in advance and to promptly provide all necessary facilities, including hotel accommodation where required, to minimize passenger inconvenience.

In a separate meeting with senior AAI officers, Minister Naidu directed that all airport directors must continuously monitor the ground situation and extend complete support to stranded passengers.

The minister has instructed ministry officials to communicate the need for proper coordination among all stakeholders—including airports, Air Traffic Control, and other airlines—to restore normalcy as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has acknowledged that the airline is experiencing severe operational turbulence. In an internal message to employees, Elbers admitted that IndiGo, India's largest carrier, has failed to deliver a satisfactory travel experience recently, causing significant passenger frustration. He stated that their immediate priority is to stabilize services and restore punctuality, though he conceded that "is not an easy target."

The airline has been struggling with widespread disruptions, with more than 300 flights cancelled on Thursday alone, while many others experienced significant delays throughout the day.