Indigo vs Modi Government: Retired Navy Officer Explains Chaos at Airports

New Delhi: Travelers across India are facing severe disruption due to massive operational issues at Indigo Airlines. Many passengers remain stranded at airports while ticket prices on other airlines have surged sharply. In response, the Civil Aviation Ministry has imposed fare caps on domestic flights, ranging from ₹7,500 to ₹18,000 depending on the route length.

DGCA Issues ‘Show Cause’ Notice

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has held Indigo responsible for the disruptions. A ‘show cause notice’ has been issued to CEO Peter Elbers, asking him to explain within 24 hours why action should not be taken against the airline for widespread delays and cancellations.

The DGCA noted that the airline’s roster caused “extreme inconvenience to passengers” and pointed to major lapses in planning, monitoring, and resource management. Indigo has failed to comply with provisions under Aircraft Rules 1937, Section 42A, as well as civil aviation regulations relating to pilot fatigue management.

Retired Navy Officer Explains the Crisis

A viral video by retired Navy officer and pilot N. Kumar breaks down the chaos for viewers. He explained that aviation operations are governed by Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which dictate how many hours a pilot can work, required rest periods, and night landing limits.

Earlier, pilots needed 1.5 days of rest, but new regulations extended this to 2 days. Additionally, night landings were capped at 2 per pilot, after which a mandatory day off is required.

Indigo Failed to Prepare

According to Kumar, the DGCA issued the updated rules in January 2024, giving airlines over a year to hire additional pilots and crew. Despite the 15-month preparation window, Indigo failed to hire enough personnel. When the rules took effect on 1 November 2025, the airline was unprepared, leading to the current operational meltdown.

Kumar emphasized that the disruptions were predictable and avoidable, blaming poor planning rather than the new regulations themselves.

In short, Indigo’s ongoing flight disruptions are the result of long-delayed compliance with pilot duty and rest regulations, leaving passengers stranded and prompting government intervention to stabilize domestic air travel.