In what could be the biggest crackdown on India’s largest air carrier, the Centre is reportedly mulling to seek the removal of IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, reports stated, citing sources. The airline cancelled around 400 flights as the trouble relating to availability of pilots, crew and technical issues continued to hamper the operations severely. For the third day in a row, IndiGo cancelled at least 400 flights across the country, leaving passengers in trauma.
Amid this, reports are coming in that the IndiGo CEO could be asked to step down, as the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) plans to take strict action against IndiGo, reported NDTV and ET separately, citing their sources.
What all actions govt may take
According to the reports, the Centre may seek removal of the CEO, and several other top officials responsible for the mess caused in entire operations. Those directly associated with handling of the now withdrawn rules of pilots’ rest hours, will likely face stern action as well, the reports added.
Besides these, the Centre may also impose a hefty monetary penalty on IndiGo airline, once the situation eases. The Government of India has already asked the air carrier to ensure all the passengers across the country get their refunds latest by 8 pm on Sunday (Dec 7).
Apart from this, the airline has also been asked to make available the baggage of the travellers, which have gone mixed up at the airports, or left at different airports due to sudden flight timings changes.
This comes day after Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed that a strict action will be taken against IndiGo. A high-level probe has already been ordered into the crisis.
Govt caps airfare
The stretched IndiGo fiasco left the passengers with limited options, and other carriers exponentially inflated their prices to Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. In an official notification on Saturday, the MoCA invoked its special powers to regulate the prices of air tickets, till the situation eases.
According to the notification, the airlines cannot charge over Rs 7,500 for a distance of up to 500 km; Rs 12,000 for distance 500 km -1000 km; Rs 15,000 for 1000-1500 km and Rs 18,000 for above 1500 km.
The scenes at the airports are tragic and sad as people cry, shout over the uncertainty and cancellation of everything they had planned beforehand. In its latest statement, IndiGo said it was working towards a fast resolution of issues.
“IndiGo is working determinedly to bring its operations back on track across the network. Our teams are focused on stabilising schedules, reducing delays, and supporting customers through this period. Today the number of cancellations has dropped below 850 flights, much lower compared to yesterday. We’re continuing to work towards reducing this number progressively over the next few days,” the airline said.
