PIL Filed In Supreme Court Over IndiGo Flight Disruptions

A public interest litigation has been submitted to the Supreme Court seeking urgent intervention over what has been described as a major breakdown in IndiGo’s operations, resulting in the cancellation of more than 1,000 flights in recent days.

The petition, filed by an organisation named ‘IndiGo All Passenger and Another’ through advocate Narendra Mishra, has requested the Court to act on its own initiative, arguing that the situation breaches citizens’ fundamental rights, including the right to life and dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution.

The filing states that widespread cancellations and lengthy delays have caused serious hardship at multiple airports, escalating into what it calls a ‘humanitarian emergency’.

It claims that airport authorities failed to provide vulnerable passengers, especially older people, children and those needing medical attention, with essential support such as food, drinking water, rest facilities or proper assistance.

The plea noted, “The situation has transcended a mere contractual dispute between airline and consumer. It has become a matter of grave public injury and a clear violation of the Fundamental Right to Life and Liberty (Article 21) of the citizens of India.”

IndiGo has blamed the disruption on difficulties arising during the implementation of Phase II of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules for pilots.

However, the plea argues that the airline and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) did not take the necessary preventive measures before enforcing the changes.

The petitioner also highlighted soaring ticket prices, reportedly exceeding Rs 50,000 on key routes, and said the airline effectively held passengers captive by denying them affordable travel options.

Call for Urgent Judicial Action

The PIL requests the setting up of a Special Bench to hear the issue urgently, calling for directions to IndiGo to halt abrupt cancellations and ensure free alternative transport for stranded passengers, whether by other airlines or via trains.

It further asks the Supreme Court to instruct the DGCA and Civil Aviation Ministry to submit a detailed status report, including the full revised FDTL guidelines and monitoring measures to ensure safe restoration of services.

Arguing that lakhs of citizens have faced hardship during what it terms a crisis of national scale, the petition says immediate judicial oversight is essential to rebuild trust in India’s aviation sector.