PMO monitors Indigo crisis, company seeks 10-day extension due to government crackdown

New Delhi: Over the past four to five days, transportation services across the country have been severely affected. Indigo Airlines, which holds a 60% share of the Indian air travel market, has been the hardest hit. Following the new regulations, Indigo’s operations collapsed, with hundreds of flights either cancelled or delayed.

All airlines are facing a dire situation. However, because Indigo has captured a large market, its impact is felt more significantly. Flights have been cancelled in Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. According to government sources, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been given a detailed briefing on the airline’s situation. The PMO is in constant communication with Indigo CEO Peter Elbers and has given the airline a clear message to restore normalcy as soon as possible.

It is believed that Albers has requested a ten-day extension from the government to stabilize the aviation network. According to government officials, the airline could face penalties in cases where regulatory laxity, operational disruptions, or passenger harm have been identified.

Meanwhile, the company management has requested some temporary relaxation in the FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limit) regulations. They claim the current regulations are too stringent and are impacting pilots’ shift planning. The government has made it clear that its priority is to alleviate passenger inconvenience and stabilize air operations. The PMO’s constant monitoring and communication indicate that the situation is being closely monitored at the highest level.

A review of aircraft deployment and slot management is also underway at the ministry level to ensure normal flight operations at airports across the country. A meeting was held at 6 pm between senior IndiGo officials and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. This meeting was crucial to assess the airline’s performance and passenger convenience.