Passenger Hardship Will Not Be Tolerated, Regardless of Airline Size: Naidu
Civil Aviation Minister warns IndiGo of strict action over mass flight disruptions; DGCA probes crew-rostering failures
New Delhi, Dec 9: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday made it clear that no airline, irrespective of its size or market dominance, will be allowed to inconvenience passengers due to poor planning or regulatory non-compliance, as he addressed the Lok Sabha over widespread flight disruptions by IndiGo.
Making a statement in the House, Naidu said strict and appropriate action would be taken against IndiGo, holding the airline fully accountable for the chaos caused by internal crew-rostering failures that led to large-scale cancellations and delays across the country.
The minister informed Parliament that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already issued show-cause notices to IndiGo’s senior leadership and launched a detailed enforcement investigation into the matter.
“IndiGo has been directed to issue refunds promptly, and over ₹750 crore has already been credited to affected passengers,” Naidu said, adding that the airline’s flight operations are now stabilising, while other carriers continue to operate normally.
He noted that airports across India are reporting normal conditions, with no overcrowding or passenger distress. “Refunds, baggage tracing and passenger assistance measures remain under close supervision of the ministry,” he said.
Emphasising the government’s stance, Naidu reiterated that safety in civil aviation is non-negotiable and that the Centre is committed to building a robust, competitive aviation ecosystem by encouraging new airlines to enter the market.
“Based on the DGCA’s findings, strict action will follow,” the minister asserted.
Meanwhile, opposition parties expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response and staged a walkout during the proceedings.
