New Delhi: Union minister for civil aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu told the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (December 9) that the flight disruptions caused by IndiGo is “rapidly stabilising” while placing blame on the private carrier for “internal rostering disruptions” despite assuring “full compliance” with the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms that led to large-scale cancellations causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers.

As opposition members raised slogans of “duopoly” in the aviation market which had led to the disruptions, Naidu in his statement said that going forward the government is committed to building a “more robust and competitive aviation ecosystem”. Opposition members staged a walkout, in protest as Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said that the minister had provided a detailed statement and a discussion could be held only after submitting a notice.

In his statement Naidu said that the revised FDTL norms were discussed with all stakeholders and IndiGo had assured “full compliance” but internal rostering disruptions had led to cancellation of flights.

“Revised FDTL scientifically designed to prevent pilot fatigue are being implemented. These reforms are essentially for passenger safety. DGCA employed a phase wise implementation plan in consultation with all the stakeholders. Phase one from July 1, 2025; phase 2 from November 1, 2025,” the minister said. “IndiGO had assured full compliance with these norms and also confirmed its preparedness to undertake its winter schedule. Despite these assurances prima facie it was observed that it was internal rostering disruptions [that] led to large-scale cancellations causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers.”

Naidu added that the disruptions are now “rapidly stabilising” and “accountability will be ensured.”

“Disruption caused by Indigo's recent operational failures is now rapidly stabilising. Indigo's daily flights, which had fallen drastically to 706 on December 5, have recovered to over 1,800 flights yesterday and are expected to rise further today. All other airlines continue to operate smoothly across the country and the airports are reporting normal conditions without crowding or distress,” he said.

Also read: IndiGo Flight Cancellations: The Truth Behind India’s Airline Industry

While questions have been raised of the government for allowing a duopoly in the aviation sector in which IndiGo controls 60% of the market, Naidu repeated his statement in the Rajya Sabha on Monday and said that “no airline however large will be permitted to cause such hardship to passengers”.

“Refunds, baggage tracing and passenger support measures remain under the supervision of the ministry. At the same time accountability will be ensured. DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has issued show-cause notices to IndiGo's senior leadership and commenced a detailed enforcement investigation. Depending on the outcome strict and appropriate action will be taken. No airline however large will be permitted to cause such hardship to passengers through planning failures, non-compliance or non adherence to statutory provisions,” he said.

Naidu underlined that safety in civil aviation is completely non-negotiable but his statement made no mention of why such a situation had been created in the first place. The minister simply stated that going forward the government is committed to building a “ more robust and competitive aviation ecosystem.”

“Going forward, the government is committed to build a more robust and competitive aviation ecosystem. Through our policies we are encouraging more and new airlines to start operating in India ensuring fair access to airport capacity and eliminating any possibility of duopoly on connectivity and pricing in our skies,” he said.

“More airlines means more choice and more affordability for our passengers.”

Amid uproar from the opposition benches who raised slogans of a duopoly, Naidu said that the Indian aviation sector had emerged as the fast growing market in the last decade.

“India is the third biggest domestic aviation market. Policies of the government will ensure this growth trajectory remains intact,” he said.

Also read: Indigo Crisis: Airline Was Once the Biggest Purchaser of Electoral Bonds in Transportation Sector

Naidu added that the carrier is being made accountable, passengers are being protected and the government will “remain vigilant till normalcy is achieved and will continue to ensure that every passenger in India travels safely and comfortably.”

As Naidu concluded his statement, opposition benches erupted in protest but the Lok Sabha speaker did not allow any member of the opposition to make an intervention.

"Yesterday you raised this, I said the minister will give a statement. Your method is not correct and not according to parliamentary decorum. If you want a discussion then give a notice,” he said.

Opposition members then staged a brief walk out in protest, but returned a little while later to join the discussion on the electoral reforms in the house.

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