Civil Aviation Ministry Launches Emergency Measures To Resolve IndiGo Schedule Crisis

New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines, especially IndiGo, to immediately implement measures to resolve the serious disruption in flight schedules and stabilize services without delay, an official statement said.

Two orders were issued to address the issues faced by the public and restore service stability, especially on IndiGo. The order stated: “Expected: All flight schedules will stabilize and start returning to normal by midnight tonight; Full service and stability will return in the next few days; Passengers will be able to monitor delays, if any, from home through the information system set up by IndiGo and others; In case of flight cancellation, IndiGo will automatically provide full refunds for tickets.”

The instruction continues: “If passengers are stranded, they will be placed in hotels where airline companies have booked accommodation. Special precautions have been taken to ensure that senior citizens are not disturbed in any way. Access to lounges will be provided; Beverages and other needs will be provided to passengers of delayed flights; A 24/7 control room at the Ministry of Civil Aviation is constantly monitoring the situation on a time basis.”

The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Central Government is fully alert to the problems of air passengers and is in constant consultation with all stakeholders. In the statement, “All possible measures will be taken to reduce the suffering of the public in order to reorganize the programs and ensure stability, including the rule exemptions announced by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation on Friday.”

Earlier today, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted IndiGo Airlines a one-time temporary exemption from certain crew duty regulations to help stabilize flight operations and reduce passenger disruptions. The regulator said the exemption covers provisions under Night Duty 0000-0650 hours of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) Civil Aviation Requirements Part 7 Series J Part III Rev 2, Phase-II applicable to the airline’s A320 and restrictions on night operations. In its decision, DGCA noted that the operator was primarily responsible for the inconvenience experienced by passengers, but that the exemption was given for the public interest in order to ensure the continuity of basic air services.

The regulator also emphasized that safety requirements must continue to be strictly adhered to and reserved the right to revoke the exemption if safety is compromised.