Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 8: The government has vowed to take strict action against low-cost carrier IndiGo following widespread flight disruptions that stranded thousands of passengers, Union civil aviation minister Rammohan Naidu said in Parliament on Monday.

Naidu stated that a detailed inquiry has been launched into the matter. “We care for pilots, crew, and passengers. IndiGo was expected to manage crew and rosters efficiently, but passengers faced significant difficulties. We are not taking this lightly. Strict action will be taken to set an example for all airlines. Any non-compliance will be addressed,” he said in the Rajya Sabha.

The disruptions, which saw hundreds of flights cancelled, were attributed to IndiGo’s “internal crisis” following the introduction of new passenger safety norms aimed at preventing pilot fatigue. These rules, announced nearly two years ago, required airlines to hire additional pilots, which IndiGo struggled to accommodate.

IndiGo operates around 2,200 flights daily and has historically prioritised minimising downtime. The shortage of crew after the new rules came into effect caused operational chaos. To help the airline stabilise operations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation temporarily relaxed the new norms until February.

The incident also drew criticism from the Opposition over the duopolistic nature of India’s aviation market, dominated by IndiGo and Air India. The government, however, reaffirmed its commitment to encouraging new entrants in the sector, noting India has the potential to support five major airlines.