IndiGo Flight Cancellations Spark Outrage in Parliament: What’s Next?

The cancellation of nearly 500 IndiGo flights has led to significant political backlash in Parliament, with opposition members accusing the airline of monopolistic practices. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari raised concerns about stranded passengers, while Rahul Gandhi criticized the government's handling of the crisis. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu has initiated a review of the situation, as IndiGo faces scrutiny over its operational failures. The airline has issued an apology and is working to restore normalcy. Read on for more insights into this unfolding situation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 5, 2025, 14:23 IST

Parliament Reacts to IndiGo's Flight Disruptions

New Delhi: The recent cancellation of nearly 500 IndiGo flights has caused significant turmoil in Parliament, with opposition leaders accusing the airline of monopolistic behavior and the government of failing to regulate effectively.

During the Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari brought attention to the issue, stating that the cancellations on Wednesday and Thursday left both lawmakers and the general public stranded.

"This situation stems from the dominance of a single airline. Many members had arranged flights to return home for the weekend but are now encountering obstacles. I urge the minister to inform the House about the actions being taken," Tiwari stated.

In response, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju assured that the government is aware of the situation. "I spoke with the Civil Aviation Minister before this session. The government is looking into the technical issues faced by the airline. A comprehensive response will be prepared as members are concerned," he confirmed.

The cancellations persisted into Friday, with over 400 flights still grounded across the country, prompting strong political backlash. Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the government, labeling the crisis as a consequence of its monopolistic model.

In a post on X, Gandhi expressed, "Once again, it’s ordinary Indians who bear the brunt – facing delays, cancellations, and helplessness. India deserves fair competition in every sector, not monopolistic practices."

Shiv Sena(UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also raised a notice under Rule 180 in the Rajya Sabha, calling the situation one of "urgent public importance." She pointed out severe delays of up to seven hours and cancellations at major airports like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, attributing these issues to crew shortages and operational failures.

"Thousands of passengers were left stranded, normal airport operations were disrupted, and these recurring large-scale issues underscore the need for immediate government action and accountability," she emphasized.

Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu held a high-level review meeting and expressed dissatisfaction with IndiGo’s management of the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations, which the airline acknowledged had not been implemented effectively.

IndiGo addressed the situation on its X account, stating, "The last two days have seen widespread disruption across IndiGo’s network and operations. We sincerely apologize to all our customers and industry stakeholders affected by these events. Our teams are working diligently, with support from MOCA, DGCA, BCAS, AAI, and airport operators, to mitigate the cascading effects of these delays and restore normal operations. We will keep our customers updated on any changes to their scheduled flights and advise them to check the latest status before heading to the airport. IndiGo deeply regrets the inconvenience caused and is focused on streamlining its operations as soon as possible."