New Delhi: In the wake of widespread flight disruptions that have left thousands of passengers stranded across the country, a parliamentary panel is set to summon senior executives from private airlines and officials from the civil aviation regulator to seek explanations and remedial measures. The move comes amid mounting public frustration and reports of skyrocketing airfares in the face of mass cancellations, particularly by IndiGo, India’s largest carrier.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, chaired by JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha, has expressed serious concern over the recent disruptions in air services. Sources close to the committee confirmed that the panel plans to summon top management from various private airlines, including IndiGo, and officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to examine the causes of the operational breakdown and explore solutions to prevent a recurrence.

The mass flight cancellations, which have entered their sixth consecutive day, have affected not only ordinary travellers but also parliamentarians attending the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament. Committee members noted that several MPs themselves faced flight delays and cancellations, underscoring the severity of the situation. Additionally, many parliamentarians have reported receiving complaints from constituents regarding soaring airfares and difficulty obtaining refunds, further emphasizing the need for urgent intervention.

On Sunday alone, IndiGo reportedly cancelled more than 220 flights at Delhi and Mumbai airports, exacerbating the nationwide travel chaos. The airline has acknowledged the disruption and cited ongoing operational challenges as the reason for the cancellations. In response, the DGCA had issued notices to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO and Accountable Manager Porqueras, seeking explanations and updates on corrective measures being taken.

IndiGo, through a public statement, confirmed that its Board of Interglobe Aviation, the parent company, has established a Crisis Management Group to monitor the situation and implement solutions. The airline stated that its Board of Directors is actively overseeing efforts to address customer grievances, ensure timely refunds, and stabilise operations.

While the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture is set to summon airline executives and DGCA officials, there are calls for broader action. CPI Rajya Sabha member John Brittas, though not a member of the committee, has demanded the establishment of either a joint parliamentary committee or a judicial inquiry into the large-scale disruptions affecting the aviation sector. He highlighted that the disruptions not only inconvenience passengers but also erode confidence in India’s civil aviation system and have implications for national connectivity and commerce.

The parliamentary panel is expected to scrutinize several aspects of airline operations during the inquiry. Key areas likely to be examined include:

1. Causes of the Mass Cancellations: Understanding operational, logistical, and staffing issues that led to the unprecedented number of cancelled flights over multiple days.
2. Customer Grievances: Reviewing the mechanisms in place for handling refunds, baggage issues, and passenger assistance during large-scale disruptions.
3. Regulatory Oversight: Evaluating whether the DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation effectively monitored and enforced compliance with operational norms, including flight duty time limitations and safety regulations.
4. Crisis Management Practices: Assessing the preparedness of airlines, including contingency planning, communication with passengers, and coordination with airports during emergencies.
5. Pricing and Fares: Investigating reports of soaring ticket prices amidst reduced connectivity and whether this constituted unfair practice.

Industry insiders note that the disruptions have raised questions about the resilience of airline operations in India, particularly given the post-pandemic surge in passenger traffic and the ongoing pressure on carriers to maintain high on-time performance amid staffing constraints. The IndiGo crisis has highlighted vulnerabilities in flight scheduling, crew management, and operational coordination, issues that the parliamentary panel is expected to address comprehensively.

The committee’s hearings are anticipated to focus not just on the immediate crisis but also on systemic reforms. These could include:

• Strengthening regulatory oversight by the DGCA to ensure airlines comply with operational safety and staffing norms.
• Introducing stricter accountability measures for airline management during service disruptions.
• Enhancing passenger grievance redressal mechanisms and ensuring timely refunds.
• Exploring strategies for maintaining continuity of service during unforeseen operational challenges, such as crew shortages or technical failures.

Travel experts have suggested that the inquiry could also recommend measures for better crisis preparedness across India’s aviation sector, including: cross-training staff, developing backup crew rosters, improving communication with passengers during delays, and ensuring redundancy in operational planning.

Meanwhile, passengers continue to face challenges at major airports. Several travelers reported long queues at customer service counters, delayed baggage delivery, and difficulty obtaining alternate bookings, highlighting the immediate need for intervention by both airlines and regulators.

The parliamentary panel’s involvement underscores the growing seriousness of the issue. By summoning airline executives and regulators, the panel aims to ensure greater accountability, prevent recurrence of such mass disruptions, and safeguard passenger interests. It is expected that the hearings will provide a platform for both airlines and regulators to explain operational challenges, outline remedial measures, and discuss policy-level solutions to strengthen the resilience of the aviation sector.

As IndiGo and other carriers work to normalise operations, the parliamentary committee’s scrutiny is likely to have long-term implications for civil aviation policy in India, potentially leading to tighter regulatory oversight, better crisis management protocols, and enhanced passenger protections. For now, both passengers and policymakers are awaiting clarity on immediate corrective actions to restore confidence in India’s domestic air travel network.

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