India's Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, has squarely placed the blame for the recent widespread disruptions and chaos at major airports across the country on budget carrier IndiGo. The minister attributed the crisis to the airline's failure to properly manage its crew roster following the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations by the aviation safety regulator.
Minister Points Finger at IndiGo's Operational Failure
Addressing the media on Friday, Minister Naidu stated that while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) introduced the new FDTL rules on November 1, other major airlines like Air India and SpiceJet had successfully adjusted their operations. He emphasized that the government had been engaging with all carriers for over six months to ensure a smooth transition.
"What has unfolded is due to mismanagement by IndiGo regarding its crew," Naidu said, as reported by ANI. He revealed that the airline was initially given a two-day window to resolve the cascading delays but failed to do so, leading to continued passenger inconvenience. Consequently, the ministry instructed IndiGo to proactively cancel a significant number of flights to reduce airport congestion and delays.
Exemptions Granted and Committee Formed for Accountability
To help IndiGo, which commands nearly 70% of India's domestic air traffic, restore normalcy, the government has granted specific, time-bound exemptions from the stricter norms. The DGCA has provided a one-time relief, allowing the airline to bypass certain night duty rules for pilots until February 10, 2026. This applies specifically to flights scheduled between midnight and 6:50 AM. Additionally, the rule restricting the substitution of pilot leave for weekly rest has been temporarily withdrawn.
However, these measures have drawn criticism from the Airlines' Pilots Association (ALPA) India, which argues that such exemptions compromise flight safety. Meanwhile, Minister Naidu announced the formation of a committee to investigate the root cause of the disruptions. "Whoever is responsible for the present situation needs to pay for it," he asserted, underscoring the government's focus on accountability.
Passenger Impact and Path to Normalcy
The operational meltdown, which began on December 3, has severely impacted air travel. According to PTI reports, IndiGo has been forced to cancel over 1,000 flights in recent days, stranding thousands of passengers nationwide. The civil aviation ministry has made passenger welfare an immediate priority, directing special attention to senior citizens and differently-abled travelers by ensuring access to food, water, accommodation, and clear communication at affected airports.
Minister Naidu reassured the public that safety remains non-negotiable. With five lakh people traveling by air daily in India, the ministry is closely monitoring network scheduling and FDTL compliance. The government anticipates that a complete restoration of IndiGo's services will be achieved within the next three days, with operations expected to progressively return to normal starting Saturday.
