Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has launched a sharp critique of the government following the massive operational meltdown at IndiGo, India's largest airline. He attributed the widespread travel chaos to what he called the government's promotion of a "monopoly model," asserting that ordinary citizens are bearing the brunt of the failures.
Political Firestorm Over Aviation Chaos
Taking to social media platform X, Gandhi stated that the IndiGo fiasco is the direct cost of this government's monopoly model. He emphasized that once again, it is ordinary Indians who are paying the price through extensive delays, cancellations, and a sense of helplessness. Gandhi's post called for fair competition in every sector of the economy, warning against what he described as "match-fixing monopolies."
The flight disturbances at IndiGo have now escalated into a full-blown political issue, with the Opposition preparing to raise the matter in Parliament. The disruptions have affected key airports across the nation, including major hubs in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
Parliamentary Notice and Passenger Ordeal
Earlier today, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi submitted a notice under Rule 180 in the Rajya Sabha. She urged Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to make an immediate statement regarding the severe operational disruption at IndiGo, which has caused nationwide inconvenience to thousands.
In her notice, Chaturvedi detailed that the extensive disruption on Wednesday led to delays of up to seven hours and the cancellation of more than 70 flights across the country. She highlighted that the crisis was due to a critical shortage of crew and other operational challenges, causing substantial hardship. Several prominent domestic routes and international services, including the Mumbai-Maldives flight, were severely impacted during peak hours.
Chaturvedi stressed the issue is of urgent public importance, as thousands of passengers were left stranded and normal airport operations were thrown into disarray. She pointed to recurring large-scale disturbances in airline services as evidence of the need for immediate government intervention, accountability, and preventive measures.
IndiGo's Response and Regulatory Action
Meanwhile, in response to the crisis, IndiGo has sought regulatory relief. According to a statement from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the airline has requested temporary operational exemptions from certain Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for its A320 fleet. The airline has assured the regulator that full operational stability will be restored by February 10, 2026.
The current situation has left passengers facing immense confusion and frustration at airports. Reports indicate not only widespread flight cancellations but also issues with lost luggage, compounding the travel woes of countless individuals during a peak travel period.
