Aviation Minister Signals Tough Crackdown on IndiGo in Parliament

Dec 2025: The Union government on Monday issued a strong warning to low-cost carrier IndiGo over the recent large-scale disruption of its flight operations, with Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu assuring Parliament that strict action will be taken to “set an example” for the entire aviation industry.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, the Minister said that the chaos, which led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and left thousands of passengers stranded across the country, would not be treated lightly. He confirmed that a detailed inquiry has already been initiated to fix responsibility for the crisis.

“We care for pilots, crew and passengers. We have made it clear to all airlines that compliance is mandatory. IndiGo was responsible for managing its crew and roster, and passengers were made to suffer. This government will take strict action and set an example for every airline. Any non-compliance will invite action,” Naidu asserted on the floor of the House.

The Minister clarified that the disruption was the result of IndiGo’s internal operational crisis triggered after the rollout of new passenger safety norms, which were primarily aimed at addressing the long-standing issue of pilot fatigue. These revised flight duty time regulations, announced nearly two years ago, were introduced to enhance flight safety and ensure better working conditions for pilots and cabin crew.

The new rules, however, also required airlines to increase manpower to meet stricter duty and rest requirements. IndiGo, which operates around 2,200 flights daily and is known for maximising aircraft utilisation, reportedly fell short of adequate crew strength when the revised norms came into full effect. This mismatch between schedules and available manpower snowballed into a massive operational breakdown, resulting in widespread cancellations and delays.

As the situation worsened and public outrage grew, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stepped in and temporarily relaxed certain provisions of the new safety norms until February to help the airline stabilise operations. This emergency measure enabled IndiGo to gradually resume its services and ease passenger distress.

The controversy also triggered political debate, with the Opposition pointing to the duopolistic nature of India’s civil aviation sector, where IndiGo and Air India together command a dominant market share. Critics argued that excessive market concentration has made the sector vulnerable to large-scale disruptions.

Responding to these concerns, Naidu said the government has always encouraged competition and wants more players to enter the aviation industry. He added that India has the potential to sustain at least five major airlines in the coming years.

With the inquiry underway, the government has signalled zero tolerance for operational lapses that compromise passenger safety and public convenience.

Team Maverick.