Cancellations and delays of Indigo flights across the country have exacerbated passenger difficulties. So far, more than 100 flights have been affected at eight airports. Meanwhile, airfares have increased by up to five times on many routes. The association alleges that Indigo is creating this situation to pressure the government to relax FDTL regulations.
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is facing a major crisis, causing inconvenience to passengers traveling on IndiGo flights across the country. Flight cancellations and delays have been a constant issue for the past few days. Now, more than 100 flights have been canceled at eight airports. This has caused thousands of passengers to face difficulties, leaving many stranded. These delays have led to a significant increase in airfares. Ticket prices on many routes have now increased exponentially.
Where were flights canceled?
| City | cancelled flights |
|---|---|
| Bengaluru | 42 |
| Delhi | 38 |
| Ahmedabad | 25 |
| Hyderabad | 19 |
| Indore | 11 |
| Kolkata | 10 |
| Appearance | 8 |
Details of cancelled flights in Hyderabad
What is the reason being cited?
- Somewhere it’s a technical issue
- Somewhere it’s a shortage of crew members
- In many places, flights are delayed without explanation.
However, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPAI) claims that IndiGo is concealing the real problem (a shortage of pilots) under the guise of delays and cancellations.
What is the controversy?
ALPAI alleges that IndiGo is trying to exploit the pilot shortage under the guise of delays and cancellations to obtain a relaxation in the Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) from the government. This means that it’s not just a pilot shortage, but rather a push to change new regulations.
Flights from Delhi to Mumbai are five times more expensive
IndiGo’s problems have significantly impacted air ticket prices. Ticket prices on many routes are skyrocketing. Especially for those traveling from Delhi to Mumbai, air travel is becoming five times more expensive. Previously, fares for this trip ranged from ₹4,000 to ₹5,000, but now they cost between ₹21,000 and ₹25,000.
DGCA summons Indigo Airlines
Meanwhile, Indigo passengers on the Delhi-Patna route are fighting outside the cockpit. A video of this has surfaced. Passengers are upset, but Indigo remains unaffected. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken a firm stance and summoned Indigo Airlines.
