Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Monday delivered one of the strongest warnings yet to India’s aviation industry, declaring that the government will take “very, very strict action” against IndiGo Airlines after a week-long operational meltdown that stranded thousands of passengers nationwide.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Naidu made it clear that IndiGo’s cascading flight cancellations were not caused by any technical glitch, but by internal mismanagement in crew rostering — a failure he said cannot be excused in the world’s fastest-growing aviation market.
“This situation is entirely due to anomalies in IndiGo’s crew roster planning,” the minister said. “We are not taking this lightly. Strict action will be taken — not only for this incident but as an example to the whole aviation sector. Accountability is non-negotiable.”
The comment comes as IndiGo’s crisis spilled into its seventh straight day, with disruptions reported across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai.
IndiGo’s Internal Lapses Exposed
Responding to a question from Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, Naidu dismissed speculation that the disruptions stemmed from the AMSS technical failure that hit airports in November.
“This issue is different. It is not related to AMSS. IndiGo simply did not manage its crew adequately,” the minister said.
Investigators from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are now tracking how crew shortages spiraled into airline-wide chaos, leaving hundreds of flights cancelled or delayed.
Why IndiGo Ran Into Trouble: The FDTL Factor
Naidu also detailed the rollout of the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) — pilot duty-hour norms mandated by the Delhi High Court to prevent fatigue-related safety risks.
15 guidelines implemented on July 1
7 more implemented on November 1
These rules apply to all airlines. Naidu stressed that IndiGo had months to prepare and raised no concerns when it met the ministry on December 1.
“The crisis began almost a month after full FDTL implementation. Safety cannot be compromised,” he said.
Rs 827 Crore Refunds, 4,500 Bags Returned — But Chaos Continues
IndiGo said it is issuing Rs 827 crore in refunds and has returned over 4,500 delayed bags, with the rest promised within 36 hours. The airline was originally scheduled to operate 1,802 flights across 137 destinations, but severe staff shortages forced mass cancellations.
Meanwhile, airports reported overcrowding, long queues, and emergency rescheduling as passengers scrambled for alternatives.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court refused to intervene in the crisis, saying it was premature for judicial action.
Government Widens Its Net — Other Airlines Under Scanner
Speaking firmly, Naidu announced that the government will now audit crew rostering systems across all major Indian airlines.
“If any negligence is found — by individuals, the airline, or any organisation — strict action will be taken,” he said.
He added that while exemptions to FDTL norms had been given in special cases, no carrier has been allowed to bypass safety rules.
“This must serve as a wake-up call. Safety and accountability must go hand in hand.”
Experts Say IndiGo Crisis Exposes Larger Industry Flaws
Aviation analysts say the government’s aggressive stance reflects growing pressure on airlines as India sees record air travel demand.
“This episode highlights structural weaknesses in workforce planning and operational resilience,” an industry expert said. “If strict penalties follow, it will reset the standards for airline accountability in India.”
