Govt cuts IndiGo flights by 10% amid cancellation chaos; DGCA demands full accountability
The Civil Aviation Union Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, announced on Tuesday that the Government of India has ordered the reduction of 10% of IndiGo's total flights because of the widespread disruptions across the country.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) December 9: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated that in a move to protect IndiGo Airline's stability and reduce cancellations of flights, the Government of India has cut IndiGo's overall scheduled flights down by 10%. He indicated that while operating with the reduced number of flights, IndiGo will continue to service all major cities as they currently do.
Civil Aviation Minister confirms 100% refunds for canceled flights until December 6
He also noted that he had called in IndiGo's Managing Director Pieter Elbers to provide him with an update, at which time he was able to confirm that 100 percent of refunds are complete for all affected flights until December 6.
He went on to say that in the Lok Sabha, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated that no airline, regardless of size, will be allowed to inflict hardships on their customers due to the inadequacies of planning or not complying with regulatory requirements.
DGCA issues notices and launches probe
Additionally, he has said that the Director General of Civil Aviation has already filed a complaint with IndiGo and said that this airline company will take full responsibility for all of its internal crew-roster malfunctions that have created so much disruption.
“DGCA has issued show-cause notices to IndiGo’s senior leadership and commenced a detailed enforcement investigation. Depending on the outcome, strict and appropriate action as empowered under the aircraft rules and Act will be taken,” he said.
Government vows strict action based on investigation outcome
In a statement, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), explained that, following a review of the events at the Ministry of Civil Aviation, they have determined that significant air traffic disruptions occurred across India as a result of IndiGo canceling an unusually high number of flights in a short amount of time, resulting from a lack of proper management of their operational resources (including aircraft and crew).
“Accordingly, the approved winter schedule of IndiGo be reviewed and curtailed by a minimum of 10%. The existing show-cause notice may therefore be suitably modified, and a fresh notice may be issued to IndiGo, with the situation to remain under periodic review for further necessary action,” the statement said.
Committee appointed to investigate causes behind IndiGo’s mass flight cancellations
The most recent directive from the DGCA is part of a series of actions taken by the DGCA, which has found that IndiGo, which has over 65 per cent of the market share in India, has canceled over 4,000 flights since December 2, affecting the travel plans of thousands of passengers and ruining their holiday and wedding arrangements, thus leaving them stranded.
The DGCA, which has previously issued a Show Cause Notice to IndiGo's CEO and COO requesting explanations for the disruptions, has now appointed a four-member committee to conduct an investigation into IndiGo's operations and their lack of performance.
