Opposition Presses Government in Lok Sabha Over Week-Long IndiGo Flight Disruptions
Chaos from mass cancellations and delays triggers sharp criticism as passengers continue to suffer nationwide.
The opposition on Monday strongly confronted the government in the Lok Sabha over the ongoing crisis at IndiGo, India’s largest airline, which has been struggling with large-scale flight cancellations and delays for more than a week.
Raising the matter soon after Question Hour, Congress deputy leader Gaurav Gogoi asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to immediately explain why thousands of passengers across the country were facing such severe inconvenience. He highlighted the human cost of the disruptions, pointing out cases of dialysis patients missing scheduled treatment, families unable to attend important functions, and people struggling to reach elderly relatives.
Gogoi also criticised the steep rise in last-minute ticket prices—reportedly reaching ₹20,000 on some routes—as well as high food costs at airports, noting that even a simple cup of coffee was being sold for ₹250. He said the government’s earlier promise of making air travel affordable for all had clearly failed, adding that “the common man can no longer afford to fly.”
Responding to the concerns, Speaker Om Birla informed the House that Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu would deliver a detailed statement either later on Monday or the following day.
Opposition leaders further alleged that the current situation was a result of government policies that encouraged a near-duopoly in the aviation sector, reducing competition and weakening the industry’s ability to withstand operational shocks.
According to sources, more than 250 IndiGo flights were cancelled on Monday alone from major hubs such as Delhi and Bengaluru. This marked the seventh consecutive day of disruptions, leaving thousands of passengers stuck in airports with long delays, missed connections, and little clarity on when normal operations would resume.
With the crisis continuing, the opposition has said it will keep pushing the government for accountability and immediate relief for affected travellers.
