The Union government has taken a serious view of the widespread disruptions caused by IndiGo’s recent operational breakdown, which left thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the country. According to officials, the Centre is dissatisfied with both IndiGo’s handling of the crisis and the DGCA’s delayed response, prompting a high-level intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A report by Jagran.com, citing top officials, reveals that the government is preparing strict action against IndiGo and plans to introduce long-term measures to strengthen airline oversight. These measures may include tighter monitoring of operations and closer scrutiny when airlines impose high or arbitrary fares.
PM Modi Seeks Firm Action
Officials confirmed that Prime Minister Modi has instructed the Civil Aviation Ministry to adopt a firm and proactive approach. Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and senior ministry officials have briefed the PM on the disruptions and the corrective steps taken so far.
The Prime Minister emphasised that passenger safety and comfort cannot be compromised. While the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules have been temporarily paused, the government has insisted that IndiGo comply fully with existing regulations.
A four-member inquiry committee has been set up to investigate the crisis, and major action is expected once the report is submitted.
Possible Penalties, Route Cuts, CEO Removal Under Discussion
Sources suggest that the government is considering several punitive measures, including:
- Financial penalties
- Route restrictions or operational downsizing
- Changes in top management, potentially including the removal of IndiGo’s CEO
These options are likely to be evaluated once the inquiry committee submits its findings.
Centre Focuses on Restoring Flight Operations
The immediate priority for the Centre is stabilising IndiGo’s operations within the next two to three days. IndiGo, however, has requested a week to restore normal flight schedules.
Future Guidelines and Fog-Season Preparedness
Although complete regulation of airfares may not be feasible due to global aviation market factors, officials say the government may introduce new rules to prevent airlines from exploiting high-demand situations, similar to the temporary fare caps introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and during the current crisis.
The DGCA has been directed to:
- Strengthen its real-time monitoring system
- Prepare comprehensive guidelines for handling fog-related flight disruptions
- Enhance coordination with airlines during winter chaos
The government expects airlines to improve communication, staffing, and crisis preparedness as fog season approaches.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
