New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has underscored the need to ensure that government regulations function to strengthen systems rather than create hardship for the public. His remarks were conveyed during a meeting of lawmakers from the ruling alliance, where he highlighted the importance of protecting citizens from unnecessary inconvenience arising from administrative rules.
The reminder came as the government continued to address the fallout from IndiGo’s weeklong operational crisis. The situation has drawn national attention after severe crew shortages and new fatigue management rules led to thousands of cancelled flights and widespread disruption. Travellers across the country shared images and accounts online, many describing experiences of being stranded while trying to attend urgent family, medical or professional commitments.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has maintained that it will take strong corrective action. The minister reiterated that airlines must be prepared to manage crew schedules responsibly, particularly when new safety requirements are introduced. He emphasised that the ministry intends to set a benchmark for compliance across the aviation sector and that any violations will prompt strict measures.
IndiGo, which holds a dominant share of India’s domestic aviation market, has faced significant operational strain under the revised flight duty and rest norms designed to reduce fatigue among pilots and crew. The airline struggled to adapt quickly to the rules, resulting in the cancellation of more than four thousand flights over seven days as it attempted to find adequate staffing without breaching safety guidelines.
The financial impact has also been substantial. The airline has processed large-scale refunds, amounting to hundreds of crores, while also witnessing a sharp drop in its market value. Although cancellation and rescheduling charges have been waived, the enormous volume of affected bookings has caused delays and errors in refund processing, intensifying passenger frustration.
As the government continues its review of the crisis, it has reiterated that ensuring public convenience and maintaining aviation safety remain its highest priorities.
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