Article Today, New Delhi:
A wave of flight cancellations and delays by IndiGo over the past several days has left lakhs of passengers stranded across major airports in the country. The disruption has affected domestic and international schedules, forcing many travellers to miss weddings, business meetings, and medical appointments. Crowded terminals, inadequate assistance, and long waiting hours have added to public distress.
Public Anger Intensifies
As the crisis continued without relief, public anger grew across States. Passengers questioned why strong action had not yet been taken against the airline’s management despite the scale of inconvenience caused. Social media platforms reflected widespread frustration, with many accusing authorities of failing to safeguard passenger interests in a timely manner.
Political Spotlight on the Ministry
The spotlight has now turned to Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, with opposition parties demanding accountability. Critics argue that the Ministry reacted slowly to a crisis that unfolded over several days. Calls for the Minister’s resignation have intensified, with the Opposition claiming administrative failure at the highest level.
Impact on India’s Global Image
The timing of the crisis has added to official discomfort. The large-scale disruption coincided with the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India, raising concerns within diplomatic circles about the country’s image abroad. The prolonged nature of the disruption drew international attention to the scale of operational challenges in Indian aviation.
Advance Warnings Ignored
Meanwhile, officials in the aviation sector confirmed that pilot associations had flagged the possibility of a major disruption nearly two months ago. However, no effective preventive steps were taken. Senior officials privately admit that early warnings were not acted upon with the urgency they demanded.
Focus on Refunds, Not Operations
In addition, the Ministry’s initial response focused largely on refund assurances rather than on restoring operational stability. This approach drew criticism even from within the ruling alliance, as stranded passengers continued to face uncertainty over alternative travel arrangements.
Minister Faces Fresh Criticism
Further controversy erupted after photographs of the Minister attending a private gathering during the early phase of the crisis surfaced online. The images triggered sharp criticism, with many questioning the priorities of the political leadership at a time when the country’s aviation network was under strain.
Opposition Walkout in Parliament
The issue also disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, where the Opposition staged a walkout following the Minister’s statement on the crisis. The Congress and other parties described the explanation as inadequate and demanded a comprehensive inquiry into both the airline’s operations and the Ministry’s oversight role.
Growing Demand for Accountability
Therefore, pressure is mounting on the government to initiate swift regulatory action against IndiGo and to review the Ministry’s crisis management mechanisms. With passenger confidence shaken and operational stability yet to be fully restored, the coming days are likely to be critical for India’s civil aviation sector.
