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Background of the Crisis India’s largest airline, IndiGo, faced unprecedented operational disruption between December 3 and 5, 2024 , resulting in 2,507 flight cancellations and 1,852 delays , stranding over three lakh passengers across the country. The disruption followed the enforcement of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, which imposed stricter caps on pilot duty hours and enhanced mandatory rest requirements. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) constituted a four-member inquiry committee to investigate the causes of the breakdown. Based on its findings, the regulator imposed a record financial penalty of ₹22.2 crore , issued warnings to senior leadership, and mandated sweeping systemic reforms within the airline.

Introduction: IndiGo Faces Unprecedented Operational Disruption India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has been at the center of a massive operational crisis since December 2, resulting in nearly 5,000 flight cancellations across major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. In response, the airline’s Chairman, Vikram Singh Mehta, released a public statement dismissing allegations that the crisis was “engineered” or that IndiGo attempted to influence government rules. This article examines the factual developments, the legal and regulatory framework governing such disruptions, relevant constitutional and statutory provisions, and applicable judicial precedents. Allegations Against IndiGo and the Chairman’s Response Chairman Denies Claims of “Engineering a Crisis” Vikram Singh Mehta stated that while there has been “fair criticism” regarding passenger inconvenience and operational mismanagement, allegations such as: engineering the crisis influencing government rules ...

The recent operational collapse at IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has triggered one of the most significant aviation regulatory interventions in years. With over 2,000 flights cancelled since Tuesday and thousands of passengers stranded across major airports, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated strict action by issuing a show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers. This article breaks down the developments, legal basis, and statutory provisions that empower DGCA to act, while analysing the crisis through labelled sections for better blogging reach. Background: The Worst Aviation Disruption in Recent Years IndiGo has been witnessing massive operational breakdowns over the last five days, resulting in: More than 2,000 flight cancellations Widespread delays across key routes Passengers stranded across multiple airports Sharp surge in last-minute airfares across airlines The crisis stems from the airline’s transition to Phase II of the rev...

Supreme Court Ruling on Bulk Ticket Booking: A Step Towards Transparency in Indian Railways The Supreme Court of India has delivered a landmark judgment addressing the bulk procurement of railway tickets, declaring it a "social crime" and reinforcing the importance of fairness and accessibility in the Indian Railways ticketing system. This decision has been widely welcomed, including by the Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF), Manoj Yadava , who emphasized its positive impact on curbing ticketing malpractices. Supreme Court’s Landmark Judgment On January 9, the Supreme Court ruled that unauthorized procurement and supply of railway tickets—whether through physical or online means—is a criminal offense under Section 143 of the Railways Act, 1989 . The judgment stemmed from Special Leave Petitions filed by the Ministry of Railways challenging decisions by the Kerala and Madras High Courts. Key takeaways from the judgment include: Hoarding Prevention: Ens...

Air India Express Faces Flight Disruption as Crew Members Call in Sick Concerns Arise as 70 Flights Canceled or Delayed Air India Express, the low-cost subsidiary of Air India, encountered significant disruptions in its flight operations on Wednesday as more than 70 flights, both international and domestic, were canceled or delayed due to senior crew members calling in sick. The sudden shortage of crew members has raised concerns within the Ministry of Civil Aviation, prompting close monitoring of the situation. Operational Challenges Highlighted The disruptions began on Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning, leading to grounded flights and affecting scheduled operations on various routes. Civil Aviation authorities are actively investigating the matter, particularly as some senior crew members reportedly switched off their mobile phones just before flight operations, citing health issues. Apology Issued to Affected Passengers In response to the situation, Air India Expres...

Aviation Ministry Seeks Explanation from Vistara Over Flight Disruptions Amidst a surge in flight cancellations and delays by Vistara Airlines, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has taken action by requesting a comprehensive report from the airline regarding the disruptions. Over the past week, Vistara's operations have been significantly affected, leading to widespread inconvenience for passengers and prompting a flood of complaints to the aviation ministry. Operational Issues Prompt Ministry's Response The MoCA's directive to Vistara follows the airline's acknowledgment of various operational challenges, including crew unavailability, as the primary reasons behind the disruptions. With more than 100 flights affected, Vistara has been instructed to provide detailed insights into the root causes of the cancellations and delays, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Vistara's Response and Mitigation Measures In response to the ministry's directive, Vista...