The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed senior officials to conduct on-site inspections at major airports across India in response to persistent operational challenges faced by IndiGo airlines. This move follows significant disruptions causing chaos at airports nationwide, resulting in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) enforcing a 5% reduction in IndiGo’s flight schedule. The government has stepped in to actively oversee and ensure passenger safety and service quality.
On-Site Inspections Ordered
To tackle the operational issues at IndiGo, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has instructed officials at the deputy secretary, director, and joint secretary levels to visit key airports. These inspections are scheduled to occur within the next day and will focus on major hubs including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Guwahati, Goa, and Thiruvananthapuram. These locations have been identified as the most impacted by passenger distress and frequent flight cancellations. The ministry seeks to gather firsthand accounts to understand the challenges faced by travelers and to facilitate swift improvements.
Flight Schedule Reduction
In light of the operational breakdown, the DGCA has mandated a 5% reduction in IndiGo’s flight schedule. With the airline operating approximately 2,200 flights daily, this reduction equates to roughly 110 flights being canceled each day. Officials are currently in the process of identifying which specific flights will be affected. This measure aims to reduce pressure on the airline’s operations and enhance overall service reliability for passengers.
Government’s Ongoing Monitoring
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA have been closely monitoring the situation since December 3, treating the disruptions as extraordinary circumstances. A high-level review meeting was convened, led by Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, to assess conditions at various airports. Senior officials deployed to these locations are responsible for verifying airline operations and the quality of services extended to passengers. Immediate feedback from travelers is expected to be addressed promptly, ensuring that their concerns are taken seriously.
Parliamentary Discussion and Regulatory Actions
The crisis has also been discussed in Parliament. During a session in the Rajya Sabha, Minister Kinjarapu clarified that the issues experienced by passengers are unrelated to the Aircraft Maintenance and Scheduling System (AMSS), but rather stem from IndiGo’s internal crew rostering and operational planning. He assured that safety standards remain a top priority, with stringent Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) in place to protect passengers affected by delays and cancellations. Additionally, the DGCA has ramped up its regulatory oversight, issuing show-cause notices to IndiGo’s CEO and COO as part of its monitoring efforts.
Digihunt is not a financial advisor and this is not investment advice.
