Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Monday said the government would take “very, very strict action” against IndiGo Airlines over its recent wave of flight cancellations and delays, calling the disruption a result of “internal lapses” rather than technical failures.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during the Question Hour, Naidu said the ministry was conducting an inquiry into the crisis and that punitive action would follow. “We are not taking this situation lightly. There will be very, very strict action — not only for this situation but also as an example for others,” he said, adding that accountability across the aviation sector would be “non-negotiable.”
The minister’s remarks come as IndiGo, India’s largest airline, faces unprecedented operational disruption for the seventh consecutive day, affecting thousands of passengers across major airports.
Crew Rostering Blamed, Not System Glitch
Naidu clarified that the airline’s ongoing crisis was unrelated to the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) malfunction that disrupted flight operations in early November. Responding to a query from Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, he said, “This issue is entirely different — it arose from anomalies and mismanagement in IndiGo’s crew roster system.”
According to the minister, the airline failed to plan its manpower efficiently, leading to large-scale flight cancellations and scheduling chaos. “This is a day-to-day operational matter. IndiGo was supposed to manage its crew rosters effectively,” Naidu said.
He added that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had launched an investigation into the matter to identify accountability and gaps in the airline’s management structure.
FDTL Implementation and Compliance Timeline
Naidu also outlined the timeline of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) — new crew work-hour norms introduced following a Delhi High Court order in April 2025. Of the 22 guidelines, 15 were implemented on July 1, and the remaining seven came into effect on November 1.
He stressed that the government had held several rounds of consultation with airlines, including IndiGo, before implementing the rules. “Safety cannot be compromised,” Naidu said, noting that the new duty-time framework was designed to protect pilot health and prevent fatigue-related safety risks.
The minister added that the crisis began nearly a month after the final phase of FDTL norms took effect. He pointed out that IndiGo did not flag any potential challenges during its meeting with the ministry on December 1, underscoring that the airline had ample time to prepare for compliance.
IndiGo Operations Remain Disrupted Nationwide
The airline’s operational crisis entered its seventh consecutive day on Monday, with more than 500 flights cancelled or delayed across airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai. The Civil Aviation Ministry said IndiGo had been scheduled to operate 1,802 flights across 137 destinations but continued to face severe disruptions due to crew shortages.
The airline has initiated refunds worth ₹827 crore and returned over 4,500 misplaced bags to passengers, promising to deliver the remaining luggage within 36 hours. Meanwhile, airports have been struggling with overcrowding and rescheduling, forcing airlines to reroute some operations to ease congestion.
In a related development, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a petition seeking judicial intervention over the large-scale cancellations, saying the matter did not yet warrant court interference.
Government to Audit Crew Systems Across Airlines
Naidu said the ministry, in coordination with the DGCA, would now audit crew scheduling and roster management systems across all major Indian carriers. “If there is any non-compliance or negligence — by an individual, an airline, or an organisation — strict action will be taken,” he said.
The minister also said that exemptions from FDTL norms had been granted only after safety-based assessments, and that no carrier was permitted to bypass the regulations. “This situation should serve as a wake-up call for the industry. Accountability and safety must go hand in hand,” Naidu added.
Industry Experts Call It a Wake-Up Call
Aviation analysts said the government’s strong stance reflected growing impatience with operational lapses in India’s fast-expanding aviation market. “The IndiGo episode has highlighted a critical weakness in airline planning and workforce governance,” said an industry consultant. “If penalties are enforced as promised, it will send a clear message across the sector.”
Experts added that the crisis has drawn attention to the pressure Indian carriers face amid record passenger traffic and tightening regulatory norms. For now, IndiGo’s handling of the crisis — and the government’s follow-up action — are being seen as a defining test of how India’s aviation system enforces accountability and operational resilience.
