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Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu has warned of strict action against IndiGo to “set an example” for other airlines after a nationwide airport chaos caused by a crew shortage. Addressing the Rajya Sabha today, he said the disruption, which led to hundreds of flight cancellations and left thousands of passengers stranded, stemmed from IndiGo’s “internal crisis” following the implementation of new passenger safety norms.

"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. We will take strict action. We will set an example for every airline. If there will be any non-compliance, we will take action," he told the House.

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The minister added that the government is keen to expand competition in the aviation industry, noting that India has the capacity to sustain as many as five major carriers. His comments, however, failed to satisfy the Opposition, which walked out in protest.

His statement comes after days of turmoil at airports nationwide, where widespread IndiGo flight cancellations disrupted travel plans, derailed weddings and vacations, and caused significant inconvenience to passengers.

Reasons Behind the Aviation Chaos

1. The turmoil stemmed from new flight-safety regulations introduced nearly two years ago.

2. These rules were designed to address pilot fatigue, a major contributor to air accidents, by mandating longer rest periods.

3. To comply with the new norms, airlines needed to expand their pilot workforce.

4. IndiGo, which operates around 2,200 flights a day and typically aims to reduce downtime, was unable to deploy enough crew once the rules took effect.

5. This shortage triggered hundreds of flight cancellations, causing widespread inconvenience for passengers.

6. As disruptions escalated, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stepped in and temporarily eased the new safety requirements.

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7. The crisis also reignited Opposition concerns over the limited competition in India’s aviation market, where IndiGo and Air India dominate.

8. The government reiterated that it continues to support and promote the entry of more airlines into the sector.

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