IndiGo directed to reduce flights by 5%; more cancellations rock airline | What we know so far
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has been facing one of the worst operational crisis in its 20-year history. The airline cancelled more than 1,000 flights over the past week, attributing the disruptions to new pilot rest rules, high costs, winter schedules, and congestion.
The government has also decided to curtail IndiGo's winter flight scheduleCredit:PTI
New Delhi: The aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has decided to cut IndiGo's flights by five per cent and allot the slots to other airlines. Indigo operates approximately 2,200 flights every day. This means, about 115 flights will be reduced daily. According to official sources, the airline has been informed, and a list of the flights to be cancelled is being prepared.
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has been facing one of the worst operational crisis in its 20-year history. The airline cancelled more than 1,000 flights over the past week, attributing the disruptions to new pilot rest rules, high costs, winter schedules, and congestion.
More than 200 flights were cancelled this morning across major airports, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.
The Civil Aviation Minister earlier today held a high-level review meeting with all the senior officials, for a comprehensive assessment of the situation. The ministry instructed all its senior officials to visit airports to verify airline operations and passenger-oriented services. "Any shortcomings identified, including feedback received through interactions with passengers, are to be addressed and rectified immediately," it said.
Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday said that the government has decided to curtail IndiGo's winter flight schedule and allocate the slots to other operators following the airline's recent large-scale operational disruptions. His remarks followed a crucial meeting with the senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) on Monday evening. "We will curtail IndiGo's routes. They are currently operating 2,200 flights. We will definitely curtail them," Naidu told Doordarshan news channel last night.
Naidu told the Rajya Sabha yesterday that IndiGo's "internal crisis" is to be blamed for the cancellation of flights over the past week. He also warned of strict action against the airline, saying the government "will set an example for every airline". "If there is any non-compliance, we will take action," he told the Upper House.
In view of the large-scale disruptions caused at several airports, owing to the ongoing operational crisis at Indigo, the Civil Aviation Ministry has directed officers to physically visit all major airports in the next 2-3 days to assess the on-ground situation comprehensively.
The officers have been directed to assess any flight delays or cancellations, congestion at airports, queue management at check-in, security and boarding gates, availability of airline and airport manpower for operational duties, round-the-clock manning of help desks by airlines, and status of information dissemination to passengers regarding delays and alternative arrangements. They have also been asked to check if airport operators are ensuring the availability of essential facilities such as drinking water etc. and that passengers are not unduly inconvenienced.
IndiGo's operational crisis has caused widespread chaos and confusion at several airports across the country. The airline, which operates 2,200 flights daily with minimum downtime, fell short of crew after the new pilot duty rules kicked in. As the situation worsened, the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, partially relaxed the new norms.
