The Bureau of Immigration has levied penalties of a total of Rs 2 lakh on InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of Indigo, India’s largest airline for visa-related violations related to two passengers. A fine of Rs 1 lakh each has been imposed for the breach, as per a regulatory filing by the airline. Indigo mentioned that it is currently evaluating the possibility of appealing the Bureau of Immigration’s decision, which comes under the domain of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Despite the fine, the airline stated that the penalties would not have an impact on its financial status, business activities, or operations. The airline underlined that it is committed to handling the issue with regulatory requirements while ensuring the slightest disruption in its ongoing functions.
This development emphasized the significance of strict obedience to the visa regulations by the airlines, as non-compliance can result in financial punishment and in some cases can also affect the airline’s reputation.
Moreover, IndiGo’s seeking an appeal illustrates its intent to get a resolution as per the legal rules while also staying intact to its operational commitments.
The incident also highlights the need to conduct strict checks and measures for implementing compliance with immigration laws. As visa-related violations can lead to broader repercussions for the airline policies as well as the procedure. At present, IndiGo has given assurance to the stakeholders that its daily operations won’t be impacted because of the penalties.
IndiGo expects to fly around 112 million passengers in 2024, CEO Pieter Elbers stated recently. This ambitious target has been taken in the wake of the airline’s milestone achievement of carrying more than 100 million passengers in 2023, further positioning its place as a leading player in the field of global aviation.
(With inputs from PTI)