The Founder of Air Deccan and one of the pioneers of aviation in India, Captain G. R. Gopinath, says that the crisis that's afflicted IndiGo Airlines, forcing the airline to cancel more than 1,000 flights yesterday leaving nearly 2 lakh passengers stressed and stranded, is because of the airline’s arrogance, hubris and irresponsibility. He says the airline’s reputation has been possibly damaged beyond recovery and he says the CEO should accept responsibility and resign.

Captain Gopinath says IndiGo Airlines had sufficient time to prepare for the new Flight Duty Time Limitations, which were notified in May 2024, but deliberately took it easy and failed to do so in the belief that it was large enough and influential enough to get away with it. He also believes that the DGCA and the Civil Aviation Ministry should have monitored and checked whether the airline was taking sufficient and adequate steps to become compliant with the new FDTL rules. They failed to do so.

Captain Gopinath believes it is close to impossible for the airline to recruit sufficient pilots and crew in time for the new deadline to implement the FDTL rules, February 10. This means that the problem we have seen over the last few days will, in all probability, recur again in February.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.