‘Those responsible for IndiGo flight cancellations will pay’: Aviation Minister as Centre launches probe

IndiGo Flight Cancellations Trigger Government Probe and Passenger Chaos

The recent mass cancellations of IndiGo flights have sparked significant concern in India, prompting Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu to announce that a formal inquiry has been launched and that those responsible will “pay for it.” The minister emphasized that the Centre’s inquiry committee will investigate the disruptions, determine the causes, identify lapses, and recommend appropriate action against those accountable. Naidu stressed that the matter cannot be left unattended and that strict action will be taken once the committee submits its findings.

Naidu explained that authorities are prioritizing the restoration of normalcy in civil aviation services and ensuring that passengers receive full support. He highlighted that the government is closely monitoring the newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, which have been identified as a trigger for the recent disruptions. These norms, rolled out in phases, were intended to regulate crew duty hours and rest periods to ensure safety and operational efficiency across airlines. Naidu assured that the government is thoroughly analyzing scheduling networks and FDTL compliance to ensure all airlines follow proper procedures and due diligence.

The immediate cause of the recent flight cancellations was crew shortages, which arose after the rollout of the second and final phase of FDTL norms last month. The government responded quickly to the situation by issuing an order temporarily suspending certain rules to prevent further disruptions. While other airlines such as Air India, SpiceJet, and Akasa adapted smoothly to the new regulations, IndiGo faced unanticipated operational challenges. Naidu attributed the scale of the disruption to mismanagement by IndiGo’s crew, which escalated the situation into a full-fledged crisis.

IndiGo, the largest domestic airline in India, handling over 60 percent of domestic passenger traffic, experienced severe operational issues. On Wednesday, December 3, only 19.7 percent of its flights operated on time, a sharp decline from 35 percent on Tuesday and approximately 50 percent on Monday. The large-scale cancellations and delays led to widespread chaos at major airports across India, from Delhi and Chennai to Srinagar, leaving passengers frustrated and stranded. Social media platforms were flooded with complaints and expressions of anger from affected passengers, highlighting the scale of inconvenience caused.

In response, IndiGo’s CEO Pieter Elbers issued a formal apology, acknowledging the disruption and promising that services would be fully restored between December 10 and 15. He also projected that fewer than 1,000 flights would be canceled on Saturday, signaling the airline’s effort to stabilize operations and regain passenger confidence.

The incident underscores the challenges faced by airlines in implementing new regulatory frameworks while maintaining operational efficiency, particularly for large carriers like IndiGo. It also highlights the Indian government’s proactive approach to oversight, ensuring accountability and passenger welfare. The inquiry launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation will examine both procedural and managerial lapses, aiming to prevent a repeat of such disruptions in the future.

In conclusion, while the FDTL norms were designed to enhance safety and efficiency, the IndiGo crisis illustrates how implementation challenges, combined with internal mismanagement, can result in large-scale operational failures. The government’s ongoing investigation, along with IndiGo’s corrective measures, is expected to restore normalcy, rebuild passenger confidence, and ensure smoother functioning of India’s civil aviation sector.