Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Monday promised strict action against IndiGo for the nationwide flight disruptions, saying the government would set an example for all airlines. Naidu said in the Rajya Sabha the complete disarray in the airline was the result of its internal rostering and operational lapses, and had not been caused by the new flight duty time limitations (FDTL) norms.
What did Naidu say?
“We are conducting an inquiry and will take very strict action. We will set an example for all airlines that if there is any mis-compliance, non-compliance, or non-adherence by any person, entity, organisation, or operator functioning in civil aviation, we will take very strict action,” Naidu asserted. The minister’s firm stand came on a day when the shares of the country’s largest airline took a nosedive — by nearly 9%.
IndiGo’s performance in the stock market
On Monday, the stock plunged 8.62% to settle at `4,907.50 apiece on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The shares have been on a losing streak since November 28, when they closed at about `5,901 apiece. In the last seven sessions, the stock has slipped by nearly 17%.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in the meantime, has asked IndiGo to re-submit its detailed winter schedule, people aware of the development said. “The airline confirmed its ability to comply with FDTL norms on the very day the norms were implemented, yet it failed to do so. The winter schedule has been sought again to ascertain whether IndiGo can handle operations going forward,” they said.
In Parliament, the minister said the ministry had intervened immediately after the situation unfolded at airports. Expressing regret due to the inconvenience faced by passengers by the near collapse in Indigo’s operations, Naidu said the government is not taking the issue lightly. The crisis entered its seventh day on Monday and has so far, led to a total of 5,86,705 PNR cancellations.
Minister issues clarification on FDTL
The minister observed that the revised FDTL rules had not disrupted the operations for a full month before the December 3 crisis adding IndiGo alone was responsible for scheduling the crew and managing the day-to-day operations. The minister clarified that the new FDTL guidelines, implemented after extensive stakeholder consultations, were not the source of the problem. He pointed out that IndiGo had met the ministry on December 1 seeking clarifications on the norms but had not flagged any difficulty at the time. “Operations were smooth for one month. This disruption was due to internal complications that IndiGo should have managed,” he said.
Naidu also underscored the need for expanding India’s aviation capacity as passenger numbers continue to surge. India, he said, needs at least five major airlines to meet future demand, and the government is actively encouraging new entrants while strengthening regulatory and safety frameworks.
With nearly five lakh passengers flying daily, Naidu said the sector is undergoing rapid transformation and the government’s priority remains safety, compliance, and protection of passenger rights, even as the industry continues to grow at record pace.
“With the Cape Town Convention legislation, expansion under UDAN, and the rise of emerging carriers like Fly91, Star Air, and IndiaOne Air, India is creating an ecosystem that supports new airlines. This is the best time to start an airline in India,” he said.
The minister reiterated that passenger rights remain paramount, and the government will continue monitoring fare caps, operational compliance, and safety standards to ensure travellers are not inconvenienced or exploited.