Govt steps in after 4 days of IndiGo flight disruptions, inquiry ordered

New Delhi, Dec 5: With IndiGo flight cancellations and delays continuing for the fourth consecutive day, causing widespread inconvenience to travellers across the country, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced a series of emergency measures to stabilise airline operations.

The government has placed the DGCA’s Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) orders in abeyance with immediate effect.

The Ministry said the relaxation, introduced without compromising safety, was aimed at protecting the interests of passengers, especially senior citizens, students, patients and others dependent on timely air travel.

Officials said multiple operational directives have been issued to airlines to restore normal schedules at the earliest.

Flight operations are expected to begin stabilising by tomorrow, with full normalisation within three days, the ministry said.

To assist passengers during the disruption, airlines have been instructed to: provide real-time flight status through improved online systems; issue automatic full refunds for cancelled flights; arrange hotel accommodation for those stranded by long delays; prioritise assistance, including lounge access, for senior citizens and persons with disabilities; and ensure refreshments and essential services for all delayed passengers.

A 24×7 Control Room has been set up to monitor the situation and coordinate swift corrective action.

The ministry has also ordered a high-level inquiry to determine what went wrong at IndiGo, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such disruptions in the future.

The government said it remains in constant touch with airlines and stakeholders, stressing that passenger safety, care and convenience remain its highest priority.