While the commission didn’t mention provisions under which IndiGo's market domination would be examined, Competition Act 2002 prohibits abuse of dominant position by any enterprise.
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?
Corporations resent regulations that curb their freedom to operate. If they want to be trusted, they should respond to society’s needs, rather than lobbying against regulations.
IndiGo issued a travel advisory on X, warning that the dense fog in Delhi had reduced visibility and impacted flight operations, & that some flights may be proactively cancelled to prioritise safety.
IndiGo showed how a single point of failure can ripple across a sector. In defence, where there is no external fallback, the consequences are far more serious.
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.
Don’t blame misfortune. This is colossal incompetence and insensitivity. So bad, heads would have rolled even in the old PSU-era Indian Airlines and Air India.
Despite growing passenger volume, 11 out of 14 carriers reported losses in 2023-24. IndiGo recorded profit of Rs 8,167 crore, which reduced to Rs 7.253 crore in 2024-25.
Despite multiple agencies being involved, the US could maintain a clear chain of command. This is something India should consider too, as it defines the theatre command structures.
The latest comment comes as New Delhi and Washington have yet to sign a trade agreement. India’s purchase of Russian oil has reduced, but Moscow remains top source for crude.
If deal goes through, Greece will be 2nd foreign country to procure vehicle. Morocco was first; TATA Group has set up manufacturing unit there with minimum 30 percent indigenous content.
Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.
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