IndiGo cancelled approximately 180 flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad on Tuesday, as disruptions at the crisis-hit airline continued for the eighth consecutive day, according to the PTI sources.
“IndiGo is not operating 58 flights to and from Hyderabad on Tuesday. Of these, 14 are arrivals and 44 departures,” the sources said, adding that the number of cancellations at Bengaluru Airport stood at 121, of which 58 are arrivals and 63 departures.
Meanwhile, the carrier is likely to lose some of its routes to other domestic airlines during the ongoing winter schedule after Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said the government will “definitely” reduce IndiGo slots.
The Rahul Bhatia-controlled airline operates over 2,200 flights per day from 90-odd domestic destinations and 40-plus abroad destinations, reported news agency PTI.
“We will definitely reduce the number of routes, which are in IndiGo`s (winter) schedule. The order to this effect will be issued. This will be a kind of penalty on the airline as they will not be able to fly on those (curtailed) routes,” Naidu told DD News on Monday.
He said the routes, which will be reduced from IndiGo`s schedule, will be given to other carriers. He added that when the airline demonstrates the ability to operate them, they will be returned to IndiGo.
The Gurugram-based carrier, which commands over 65 per cent of India`s total domestic traffic, had cancelled over 560 flights from six metro airports alone on Monday.
IndiGo flight cancellation chaos to be discussed in Lok Sabha; aviation minister to speak today
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu will speak in the Lok Sabha at 12 pm on Tuesday regarding the ongoing IndiGo flight cancellations issue, a day after addressing the issue in the Rajya Sabha.
The discussion follows widespread flight delays and cancellations across IndiGo’s network, which have left passengers stranded at airports nationwide, reported news agency ANI.
In his Rajya Sabha remarks, the Minister clarified that the problems faced by passengers were linked to the airline’s internal crew rostering and operational planning, rather than the Aircraft Maintenance and Scheduling System (AMSS).
Emphasising passenger safety, Naidu stated that “there will be no compromise on safety”. He also highlighted that stringent Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) are in place to protect passengers affected by flight disruptions.
“For all passengers who have faced difficulties due to delays and cancellations, strict Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) are in place. Airline operators have to follow these requirements. Regarding the software issue, an inquiry has been made. Continuous technology upgradation happens in this sector. Our vision from the government is to have top global standards for the aviation sector in the country,” he said, reported ANI.
The Minister Naidu explained that the problems at IndiGo were related to crew rostering and internal operational planning, which the airline is responsible for managing on a day-to-day basis. He added that thorough consultations have been held with all stakeholders concerning Flight Time Limitations (FTTL) guidelines, and emphasised that there will be no compromise on safety.
(With inputs from Agencies)
