FDTL Orders In Abeyance; Centre Orders High-Level Inquiry Into IndiGo Fiasco; Complete Normalcy Expected In 3 Days

The government on Friday said it has decided to institute a high-level inquiry into the massive IndiGo disruption, which will examine what went wrong at the airline, determine accountability wherever required for appropriate actions, and recommend measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future — ensuring that passengers do not face such hardships again.

As thousands of passengers faced a harrowing time at airports across the country, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a statement, “We expect that flight schedules will begin to stabilise and return to normal by tomorrow. We anticipate that complete restoration of services will be achieved within the next three days.”

Passenger Relief Measures Rolled Out

The minister said that authorities have instructed airlines to provide regular and accurate updates through enhanced online information systems, enabling passengers to monitor real-time flight status from home.

The minister stated that airlines will automatically issue full refunds for any cancelled flights, without requiring passengers to request them. He added that passengers stranded by prolonged delays will receive hotel accommodation arranged directly by the airlines.

The ministry said it has taken urgent and proactive measures to address the ongoing disruption in flight schedules, particularly those of Indigo Airlines.

The minister announced that the DGCA has immediately suspended the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) orders. He added that the decision prioritises passengers’ interests—particularly senior citizens, students, patients, and others who depend on timely air travel—without compromising air safety.

He added that authorities have directed several operational measures to restore normal airline services at the earliest and significantly reduce inconvenience to travellers.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also established a 24×7 control room that is monitoring the situation on a real-time basis to ensure swift corrective action, effective coordination, and immediate resolution of issues as they arise.

Also Read: Flight Prices Skyrocket Nationwide After IndiGo Cancels Delhi Departures