New Delhi, Dec 9 (NationPress) The Aviation Minister, Rammohan Naidu, addressed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, stating that operations of the low-cost airline IndiGo are showing signs of stabilization. He emphasized that all other airlines are functioning smoothly across the nation and that no airline will be allowed to impose hardships on passengers due to planning failures, non-compliance, or disregard for statutory regulations.

While speaking in the Lower House, the minister remarked, “Airports nationwide are operating under normal conditions, without any crowding or distress.”

He also indicated that the DGCA has handed out show-cause notices to the senior management of IndiGo and initiated a thorough enforcement investigation. Appropriate action will follow based on the findings.

“IndiGo is being held responsible. No airline, regardless of its size, can inflict such difficulties on passengers through planning oversights or non-compliance,” the minister reassured the House.

Naidu clarified that the newly revised rules for pilot and crew rostering are non-negotiable.

“The Ministry of Civil Aviation is overseeing refunds for flights canceled between December 5 and 15, baggage tracing, and passenger support measures,” the minister added.

He mentioned that to address the crisis, “IndiGo was instructed to process refunds without delay, and as reported by them, over Rs 750 crore has already been refunded to passengers.” Naidu noted this during his address in the Lower House.

Under significant government scrutiny, IndiGo announced on Monday that it had refunded Rs 827 crore to impacted passengers, with additional refunds still being processed for cancellations up until December 15.

“Operations are stabilizing quickly, safety protocols are fully upheld, IndiGo is being held accountable, and measures are in place to protect passengers' convenience and dignity. Long-term strategies are underway to enhance the passenger focus within India's aviation sector,” Naidu stated.

The minister highlighted that the government intervened to impose fare caps to prevent financial exploitation of passengers.

Additionally, he noted that IndiGo managed rebookings without any extra charges. He reiterated that IndiGo has pledged full compliance with flight duty regulations and is prepared for the winter schedule, emphasizing that safety in civil aviation is entirely non-negotiable.

He pointed out that the government aims to foster a robust and competitive aviation environment in the country, encouraging new airlines to commence operations in India.

Following the minister's remarks regarding IndiGo's service disruptions, opposition parties, led by the Congress, staged a walkout.

Meanwhile, the DGCA directed IndiGo to reduce its daily flight schedule by 5 percent and required the airline to submit its updated schedule by 5 pm on December 10.

“IndiGo has not shown the capability to operate its schedules effectively,” stated the DGCA order. It further noted that 64,346 flights were approved for IndiGo in November, but only 59,438 flights were flown, with 951 flights canceled.