NATIONAL: Centre Hits Indigo With 5% Winter Cut
India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, stepped in decisively amid IndiGo’s persistent operational turmoil.
On Tuesday, it mandated a five percent reduction in the carrier’s winter flight schedules, targeting over 15,000 weekly departures.
This move addresses a week of widespread cancellations that stranded thousands of passengers nationwide.
The order reflects growing frustration with IndiGo’s inability to sustain its ambitious expansion.
Officials noted a nine percent jump in proposed flights from last winter, far outpacing the airline’s grounded reality.
Minister Issues Stark Warning
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu did not mince words on Monday, vowing strict measures against IndiGo for the chaos.
He highlighted crew mismanagement as the root cause, blaming it for hundreds of daily disruptions.
Naidu assured Parliament that the government prioritizes passenger rights.
His comments, delivered in the Lok Sabha, underscore a shift toward accountability in the sector’s dominant player.
Daily Flight Reductions Detailed
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, currently handles around 2,200 flights each day.
The mandated trim will axe roughly 110 to 115 services daily, hitting high-traffic corridors hardest.
Cuts span domestic and international routes alike. The DGCA requires a revised timetable submission by 5 p.m.
Wednesday, with freed slots promptly reassigned to competitors like Air India.
Key affected areas include:
- Metro-to-metro links, such as Delhi-Mumbai.
- Regional feeders are vital for connectivity.
- Peak-hour slots to ease immediate bottlenecks.
Pilot Rest Rules Spark Global Alarm
In a bid to ease the strain, the DGCA granted IndiGo a temporary waiver on pilot rest norms last Friday.
This includes exemptions from new night-duty limits and a rollback on mandatory downtime rules.
Captain Ron Hay, president of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations, slammed the decision as reckless.
He warned that skimping on recovery time invites fatigue-related risks, potentially compromising flight safety.
Hay called for an immediate reversal, citing a lack of evidence for the relaxation. His critique spotlights IndiGo’s broader lapses in workforce planning.
Broader Implications for Air Travel
This episode exposes vulnerabilities in India’s booming aviation market, where IndiGo commands over half the seats.
While operations stabilize with fewer cancellations today, trust hangs in the balance.
Passengers face short-term inconveniences but could see fairer competition long-term.
Regulators now eye fare caps to prevent gouging, ensuring the skies remain accessible for all.