IndiGo Faces Major Flight Disruptions: Over 220 Cancellations Amid Ongoing Crisis
IndiGo's Flight Cancellations Continue
Mumbai: IndiGo has reportedly canceled over 220 flights at both Delhi and Mumbai airports as the airline grapples with significant operational disruptions that have persisted for six days. This situation has prompted the airline's board to closely monitor the ongoing issues, alongside scrutiny from aviation regulators.
The recent wave of cancellations and delays has severely impacted thousands of travelers, with reports indicating that 112 flights were scrapped at Mumbai airport and 109 at Delhi airport.
In response, Interglobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, has established a Crisis Management Group (CMG) to oversee the situation. The airline announced that this group has been convening regularly to receive updates from management regarding efforts to restore normal operations.
IndiGo stated, "The Board of Directors of Interglobe Aviation Limited convened on the first day the cancellations and delays began. They received a comprehensive briefing from management about the crisis's nature and extent."
Following the initial meeting, a session was held exclusively for board members, leading to the formation of the CMG. This group comprises Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta, Board Directors Gregg Saretsky, Mike Whitaker, Amitabh Kant, and CEO Pieter Elbers.
The board emphasized its commitment to addressing customer challenges and ensuring timely refunds.
After canceling approximately 1,600 out of 2,300 daily flights on Friday, IndiGo reported a decrease in disruptions on Saturday, with cancellations dropping to around 800. The airline managed to operate 1,500 flights that day.
IndiGo's CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidro Porqueras received notices from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday, demanding explanations within 24 hours regarding the extensive operational failures. The regulator highlighted significant lapses in planning and resource management, attributing the primary cause to the airline's insufficient arrangements to comply with the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) scheme.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu held a crucial meeting with Elbers in the national capital on Saturday to assess the situation. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai were also present. A senior official stated that the immediate focus is on restoring normal operations and ensuring prompt ticket refunds. The airline has been instructed to adhere to the revised FDTL within a specified timeframe.
On Friday, the DGCA established a four-member inquiry panel to investigate the reasons behind the cancellations and propose mitigation strategies. This committee, which includes Joint Director General Sanjay K Bramhane, Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, Senior Flight Operations Inspector Captain Kapil Manglik, and Flight Operations Inspector Captain Rampal, is expected to submit its findings within 15 days.
To stabilize operations, the ministry implemented measures on Saturday, including capping airfares and mandating the airline to ensure complete refunds for canceled or delayed flights by 8 PM on Sunday.