IndiGo’s cancellations of at least 4,500 flights and subsequent price surges following a scheduling crisis left thousands of passengers stranded two months ago.
Hearing PIL on aviation safety, court asked DGCA to justify withdrawal of new flight duty rules that barred airlines from substituting leave with weekly rest. Notices sent to IndiGo, DGCA, Centre.
Operator, already under scanner for near-mishap in 2023, attributes Baramati crash to 'pilot's decision', was flying Learjets despite landing gear defect flagged by US aviation watchdog in 2025.
Baramati airfield is uncontrolled, which means traffic information is provided by instructors or pilots from flying training organisations in the area, Ministry of Civil Aviation said.
Govt-appointed panel found multiple violations of aviation regulations & deficiencies in airline’s operational planning, crew management and oversight mechanisms.
The IndiGo crisis is nothing short of a threat to India’s stability. Could it be an experiment? Can this happen in any other crucial sector like power or railways?
Indian Pilots Guild alleged DGCA granted FDTL timeline extensions, approved airline-specific proposals that went against court orders. It filed contempt plea against DGCA chief.
The crisis also puts DGCA’s vacancies in the eye of the storm. Naidu told the Rajya Sabha in July this year that 190 out of 410 DGCA vacancies would be filled this year.
Advice comes at a time when India accounts for a 5th of global generic drug supply & 40% of generics used in US. However, this strength in finished formulations relies on imported ingredients.
It’s easy to understand why the government can’t speak the hard truth. When this war ends, as all wars do, India’s interests will lie with both the winner and the loser.
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