Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp critique against the government on Friday, directly linking the massive flight cancellations by IndiGo to what he termed the administration's "monopoly model." The political attack came as the country's largest airline cancelled over 550 flights on Thursday and another 400 on Friday, throwing the travel plans of hundreds of passengers into disarray.
Gandhi's Scathing Critique on Social Media
Taking to the social media platform X, Gandhi asserted that ordinary citizens are the ones who ultimately bear the brunt of such systemic failures. "IndiGo fiasco is the cost of this Govt's monopoly model. Once again, it's ordinary Indians who pay the price - in delays, cancellations and helplessness," he wrote in his post. The Congress leader went a step further, framing the issue as a matter of economic principle for the nation. He emphatically stated, "India deserves fair competition in every sector, not match-fixing monopolies."
The Scale of the IndiGo Operational Crisis
The controversy stems from a severe operational meltdown at IndiGo, which has now entered its fourth consecutive day. The airline has been forced to cancel a staggering number of flights, causing widespread inconvenience. In a communication to the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), IndiGo acknowledged that the disruptions were primarily due to misjudgment and planning gaps in implementing the second phase of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms.
These norms are crucial regulations designed to manage pilot fatigue and ensure flight safety by limiting the number of hours a crew can be on duty. The airline informed the DGCA that it expects more cancellations to continue until December 8. Furthermore, IndiGo stated that from that date, there would be a reduction in its overall services as it works to stabilize operations. The carrier has projected that its flight schedule will be fully stabilized only by February 10, 2026, and has sought temporary relaxations in the FDTL rules to manage the current crisis.
Government Reaction and Passenger Fallout
The situation prompted immediate action from the Civil Aviation Ministry. Minister K Rammohan Naidu convened a high-level review meeting to assess the significant flight disruptions. Reports indicate that the minister expressed his displeasure at the way IndiGo handled the implementation of the new FDTL norms, especially since the airline had ample time to prepare for the transition.
For passengers across India, the fallout has been tangible and frustrating. The consecutive days of cancellations and delays have led to:
- Last-minute travel plan changes and uncertainty.
- Financial losses from missed connections and bookings.
- Significant stress and helplessness at airports.
Gandhi's comments have shifted the discourse from a mere operational failure of a private airline to a broader political debate about market structure, competition, and governance. By labeling it a "monopoly model," he implies that the current market conditions, which have seen IndiGo achieve a dominant market share, are a direct consequence of government policy, and that the lack of robust competition allows such large-scale disruptions to occur without sufficient checks.
The incident raises critical questions about regulatory oversight, airline preparedness for regulatory changes, and the resilience of India's aviation infrastructure when its largest player faces operational challenges. As IndiGo works towards its proposed recovery timeline, the political and public scrutiny on its market dominance and the government's role in fostering competition is likely to intensify.
