The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the government is now closely watching IndiGo’s operational recovery and passenger support efforts, and will continue to do so until the airline is fully stable.
Serious concern has been raised over the recent disruptions and widespread cancellations in IndiGo’s operations.
High-level review and causes
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu convened a high-level meeting with IndiGo’s senior team, in the presence of the Civil Aviation Secretary, DGCA, and senior representatives from the Ministry and AAI.
The airline provided details on the cancellations, citing crew-planning difficulties, the transition to the new FDTL norms, and seasonal weather conditions as key reasons for the disruption.
According to the ministry, the revised FDTL norms were introduced gradually, as directed by the Court, to ensure better fatigue control and higher safety standards.
Minister’s directives to the airline
Naidu made it clear that he was unhappy with the airline’s handling of the issue and pointed out that there was enough lead time to ensure a trouble-free transition to the updated rules.
He also instructed IndiGo to restore normal operations quickly and to make sure airfares are not raised because of the ongoing situation.
He also directed the airline to give passengers early notice of any potential cancellations and to provide all required support, such as hotel stays when needed without delay to reduce inconvenience.
Coordination and CEO response
Naidu also met with senior AAI officials and instructed that all airport directors closely track the situation on-site and provide full assistance to stranded passengers.
Officials have been told to communicate the need for seamless coordination among all parties—airports, air traffic control, and other airlines to achieve a swift return to normalcy.
Meanwhile, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers acknowledged that the airline is facing significant operational challenges, stating that the immediate focus is on stabilising services and improving punctuality, although he admitted this is a difficult task.
In communication with employees, Elbers accepted that India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, has struggled to deliver a smooth travel experience recently, resulting in passenger dissatisfaction.
The carrier has been struggling with widespread cancellations and delays, with Thursday seeing over 300 flights called off and many more running late.
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