NEW DELHI: Under fire for its handling of the IndiGo crisis, govt said on Monday it would set an “example” for other airlines with “very, very strict action” against the budget carrier once the probe into the massive flight disruptions is complete. The unprecedented disruption was caused by an “internal crisis” in the airline, Union aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in the Rajya Sabha Monday.Also, with the duopoly situation – Air India Group and IndiGo – being blamed for making the bad situation even worse, Naidu said India needs more airlines. “We have envisioned the demand to be growing at such a rate that we want to have more airlines in the picture… India today has the capacity of five big airlines. We are talking about two airlines, but the capacity, the demand that India is creating, we need to have five big airlines,” he said, adding that this was “the time to start an airline in India”. Naidu said govt wants “more pillars” in the industry to counter concentration and build resilience. “There is so much growth that is happening. So let us all encourage more airlines to come into this industry along with govt,” he said.”We are not taking this situation easily. We are conducting an inquiry… Revised flight duty time limitation (FDTL) was introduced after an April 2025 HC order. Of the 22 guidelines, 15 were implemented on July 1 and remaining seven on Nov 1. Multiple consultations were held with all stakeholders, including IndiGo, and rules had to be followed without any compromise on safety,” Naidu said.The DGCA “has been in continuous discussions with airlines since FDTL came fully into force, and had granted limited exemptions based on operational variations and safety assessments”, he said. The crisis erupted “almost one whole month” after the Nov 1 implementation and IndiGo did not flag any imminent issues during a meeting with the ministry on Dec 1. “This is a day-to-day operation, something that IndiGo should have maintained… We care for pilots, crew and passengers. We made it clear to all the airlines. IndiGo was supposed to manage the crew and roster. Passengers faced a lot of difficulties. We are not taking the situation lightly.”Current situation:IndiGo is fast returning to near normal, with the airline saying it expected to operate over 1,800 flights on Monday. “We have optimised our operations and managed to reduce the number of cancellations which are being notified to customers in advance. Our on-time performance has improved to 91% across the network.”Rs 827 crore already refunded, and the rest is under process for cancellations up to Dec 15, 2025. Over 4,500 bags have been delivered to respective customers, and we are on track to deliver the rest in the next 36 hours,” IndiGo said.The Union aviation ministry said about 5.9 lakh PNRs for travel between Dec 1 and 7 have been cancelled and refunds of about Rs 570 crore have been issued. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Nonchalant, Lackadaisical Attitude’: Ex-AirAsia CFO Breaks Down Indigo Fiasco’It Was Treated Like An Extra’: Rajnath Singh Slams Congress For ‘Injustice’ To Vande Mataram’Biggest Mistake’: TMC’s Mahua Moitra Blasts PM Modi, Dares BJP To Win Bengal With Divisive PoliticsIndia Issues Warning To China Over Targeting Indians, Blasts Pakistan’s Remarks On Arunachal PradeshThe Truth Behind Curtailed Vande Mataram : Politics, Unity And A Century Of Cultural TensionAAP MP Raghav Chadha Calls Out ‘Legalised Loot’ Of Toll Plazas In Rajya Sabha’Only 2 Reasons’: Priyanka Gandhi Slams PM Modi, Links Vande Mataram Debate To Bengal Polls’Jinnah Ka Munna…’: Anurag Thakur’s Brutal Attack on Congress, Rips Apart Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi’Will Set An Example’: IndiGo Faces Heat As Aviation Minister Promises Tough Action In Rajya SabhaGoa Club Fire Exposed Deadly Design Errors, Trapping Dozens As Only One Exit Functioned123PhotostoriesUS doctor lists 7 hobbies linked to reduced stress and better mental healthRRR, Janatha Garage; Telugu star Jr NTR, whose mass appeal meets surprising versatility onscreenAakrosh, Arth, Salaam Bombay!: Hindi parallel films that redefined meaningful storytelling for new audiencesWhat happens when you stop eating sugar for 30 days5 ways to enjoy egg and spinach for breakfastFood combinations with yogurt that are healthy or can be toxicBoard-certified doctor shares 8 foods that people with arthritis should add to their daily diet5 teen Indian cricketers who are already making waves8 Indian dishes one can make with oats5 deep and emotional RupiKaur quotes on love and heartbreak123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingOmarion HamptonJaxson DartPatrick MahomesMariasharapova and Alexander Net worthAryna Sabalenka Net WorthJohn TavaresRafael Nadal and Mery Net WorthCandace OwensMirka Federer Net WorthCardi B
NEW DELHI: Under fire for its handling of the IndiGo crisis, govt said on Monday it would set an “example” for other airlines with “very, very strict action” against the budget carrier once the probe into the massive flight disruptions is complete. The unprecedented disruption was caused by an “internal crisis” in the airline, Union aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in the Rajya Sabha Monday.Also, with the duopoly situation – Air India Group and IndiGo – being blamed for making the bad situation even worse, Naidu said India needs more airlines. “We have envisioned the demand to be growing at such a rate that we want to have more airlines in the picture… India today has the capacity of five big airlines. We are talking about two airlines, but the capacity, the demand that India is creating, we need to have five big airlines,” he said, adding that this was “the time to start an airline in India”. Naidu said govt wants “more pillars” in the industry to counter concentration and build resilience. “There is so much growth that is happening. So let us all encourage more airlines to come into this industry along with govt,” he said.“We are not taking this situation easily. We are conducting an inquiry… Revised flight duty time limitation (FDTL) was introduced after an April 2025 HC order. Of the 22 guidelines, 15 were implemented on July 1 and remaining seven on Nov 1. Multiple consultations were held with all stakeholders, including IndiGo, and rules had to be followed without any compromise on safety,” Naidu said.The DGCA “has been in continuous discussions with airlines since FDTL came fully into force, and had granted limited exemptions based on operational variations and safety assessments”, he said. The crisis erupted “almost one whole month” after the Nov 1 implementation and IndiGo did not flag any imminent issues during a meeting with the ministry on Dec 1. “This is a day-to-day operation, something that IndiGo should have maintained... We care for pilots, crew and passengers. We made it clear to all the airlines. IndiGo was supposed to manage the crew and roster. Passengers faced a lot of difficulties. We are not taking the situation lightly.”Current situation:IndiGo is fast returning to near normal, with the airline saying it expected to operate over 1,800 flights on Monday. “We have optimised our operations and managed to reduce the number of cancellations which are being notified to customers in advance. Our on-time performance has improved to 91% across the network.“Rs 827 crore already refunded, and the rest is under process for cancellations up to Dec 15, 2025. Over 4,500 bags have been delivered to respective customers, and we are on track to deliver the rest in the next 36 hours,” IndiGo said.The Union aviation ministry said about 5.9 lakh PNRs for travel between Dec 1 and 7 have been cancelled and refunds of about Rs 570 crore have been issued.