On Tuesday, the government informed Parliament of its commitment to strengthening the aviation sector, making it more competitive and resilient, while encouraging the entry of new airlines. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, speaking in the Lok Sabha, said airport operations are gradually returning to normal. He emphasized that no airline, regardless of size, would be allowed to inconvenience passengers due to planning lapses or regulatory non-compliance. Naidu attributed IndiGo’s mass cancellations to internal rostering issues, holding the airline responsible for the disruption.
The minister highlighted that introducing more airlines would enhance choice, affordability, and resilience, while ensuring fair access to airport capacity and preventing duopolies. India has witnessed a 12% year-on-year growth in passenger traffic, and the government aims to sustain this momentum.
Naidu defended the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) implemented in November, calling them scientifically designed to prevent pilot fatigue and safeguard passengers. He noted that IndiGo had initially confirmed readiness to comply with the norms, but internal scheduling failures triggered widespread cancellations. Airports now report normal conditions, and the ministry continues to monitor refunds, baggage tracking, and passenger support. The DGCA has issued show-cause notices to IndiGo’s leadership and is conducting a detailed enforcement investigation, with further action pending its findings.
