The Aryavarth Express
Belagavi (Karnataka): Karnataka Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge on Monday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi while criticising the massive disruption caused by IndiGo’s large-scale flight cancellations across the country.
Referring to the PM’s earlier remark that people wearing Hawai chappals would be able to fly, Kharge said the situation has now reversed. “Today, Hawai chappals are flying at officials in the airport,” he said, calling the scenes at airports a reflection of public frustration.
Kharge also alleged that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has “fallen into the trap of duopoly” and accused the Centre of failing to hold airlines accountable. “The lack of response from IndiGo and the lack of responsibility from the government is hurting citizens,” he added.
Aviation Minister addresses crisis in Parliament
Earlier in the day, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu briefed the Rajya Sabha, clarifying that IndiGo’s operational meltdown was linked to internal crew rostering issues and not the Aircraft Maintenance and Scheduling System (AMSS).
Reiterating that “there will be no compromise on safety,” Naidu said Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) mandate strict protections for passengers during delays and cancellations. Responding to concerns over stranded passengers and high fares, he said over 5 lakh PNRs had been cancelled, with ₹569 crore refunded to affected travellers. The government has also capped fares under a four-tier pricing framework and continues to enforce compliance, he added.
DGCA grants limited deadline extension
Meanwhile, the DGCA has granted IndiGo’s Accountable Manager and CEO a single 24-hour extension to respond to the Show Cause Notice issued on December 6 regarding large-scale disruptions and compliance lapses. The airline cited “operational constraints” and the scale of its network while seeking more time. The regulator has extended the deadline only until 6 pm on December 8, stressing that no further extensions will be permitted.
The widespread delays and cancellations continue to impact passengers nationwide, leading to growing scrutiny of operational practices across India’s largest airline.
