New Delhi – India’s largest domestic carrier IndiGo announced on Friday that compensation for passengers severely affected by the ongoing IndiGo flight crisis will exceed ₹500 crore, marking one of the most significant payouts in Indian aviation history. The announcement comes as the airline struggles to restore normalcy after over 10 days of widespread disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the country.
Unprecedented Compensation for IndiGo Flight Crisis
The IndiGo flight crisis has prompted the airline to take extraordinary measures to address passenger grievances. The ₹500 crore compensation specifically targets customers whose flights were cancelled within 24 hours of departure and who were severely stranded at certain airports during the peak chaos period. In its official statement, IndiGo confirmed it is “identifying flights where customers were severely impacted and stranded at airports on 3, 4, and 5 December” and will reach out to affected customers in January to facilitate smooth compensation distribution.
This compensation comes in addition to mandatory refunds and the ₹10,000 travel vouchers already offered to passengers stranded between December 3 and 5. The vouchers, valid for 12 months, supplement the government-mandated compensation of ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, demonstrating the airline’s attempt to rebuild customer trust damaged by the IndiGo flight crisis.
DGCA Takes Strict Action Amid Crisis
In a major regulatory intervention during the IndiGo flight crisis, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended four flight operations inspectors on Friday for their alleged role in the disruptions. The suspended officials include Rishi Raj Chatterjee (consultant, deputy chief FOI), Seema Jhamnani (senior FOI), Anil Kumar Pokhariyal (consultant FOI), and Priyam Kaushik (consultant FOI).
Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) are crucial regulatory personnel tasked with overseeing airline safety, pilot training, and operational compliance. Their suspension during the IndiGo flight crisis signals the regulator’s determination to hold accountable those responsible for oversight failures that may have contributed to the operational meltdown.
The DGCA’s action resulted in the agency facing nearly ₹59 crore in penalties related to the crisis management, highlighting the regulatory consequences of the widespread disruptions.
Independent Investigation Commissioned
Addressing the IndiGo flight crisis with transparency, the airline’s board approved appointing a specialized consulting firm to independently investigate the disruptions. Chief Aviation Advisors LLC, led by Captain John Illson, will conduct a comprehensive root-cause analysis of the recent operational failures and recommend improvements.
This independent review follows recommendations from the Crisis Management Group (CMG) constituted by IndiGo’s board. The CMG advised commissioning an expert external assessment to ensure objectivity in understanding what triggered the IndiGo flight crisis and how to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Operations Slowly Returning to Normal
Despite the ongoing IndiGo flight crisis, the airline reported progress toward operational stability. IndiGo expected to operate over 2,000 flights on Friday, a significant improvement from the peak disruption period. However, 54 flights were still cancelled on Friday, with 160 cancellations reported specifically at Delhi and Bengaluru airports, indicating that complete normalization remains a work in progress.
Also Read: IndiGo Flight Disruptions: Chairman Admits Errors, Promises Complete Investigation
The gradual recovery from the IndiGo flight crisis comes after the airline controlled approximately 65% of India’s domestic aviation market, making the disruptions particularly impactful for travelers across the country.
Government Blames Gross Mismanagement
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu characterized the IndiGo flight crisis as a result of “gross mismanagement,” specifically pointing to problems with the airline’s crew rostering system. The minister chaired a review meeting with airlines to assess the situation and ensure proper oversight mechanisms are in place.
The government’s investigation into the IndiGo flight crisis also revealed a puzzling aspect: while domestic operations collapsed, the airline’s international flights continued operating normally, raising questions about internal operational protocols and resource allocation.
CEO Appears Before Regulator
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers appeared before DGCA officials on Thursday to address concerns about the IndiGo flight crisis. His appearance underscored the seriousness with which regulators are treating the operational meltdown and the accountability expected from airline leadership.
Political Fallout and Criticism
The IndiGo flight crisis has triggered political controversy, with opposition parties criticizing the government’s oversight. A Congress MP attacked the aviation ministry and DGCA over their handling of the situation, while a CPIM leader demanded the aviation minister’s resignation. Another Congress MP raised concerns about IndiGo’s market dominance, suggesting the crisis highlighted dangers of monopolistic practices in the aviation sector.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has reportedly begun examining whether IndiGo violated competition norms, adding another dimension to the fallout from the IndiGo flight crisis.
Delhi High Court Intervention
Adding legal pressure, the Delhi High Court reprimanded the central government over its handling of the IndiGo flight crisis, demanding explanations for the regulatory failures that allowed such widespread disruptions to occur and persist for over a week.
Passenger Relief Measures
For passengers affected by the IndiGo flight crisis, the airline emphasized that refunds remain the main focus. The company is processing claims systematically while also distributing the additional compensation vouchers to the most severely impacted travelers.
The IndiGo flight crisis has fundamentally shaken confidence in India’s aviation sector, prompting calls for stronger regulatory oversight, better crisis management protocols, and enhanced passenger protection measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future.
