DGCA gives 24 hours to IndiGo CEO to explain this mega fiasco

 

 

 

THE Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has held IndiGo’s top management accountable for ongoing flight disruptions, issuing a show-cause notice to its CEO Pieter Elbers, as the low-cost airlines cancelled more flights on Sunday amid an ongoing crisis. The aviation regulator has sought explanation from him within 24 hours on why enforcement action should not be initiated against him after widespread IndiGo delays and cancellations disrupted air travel across the country. The rules the airline failed to comply with are 42A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and Civil Aviation Requirements which pertain to fatigue management of pilots.

 

According to the DGCA notice, “Whereas such large-scale operational failures indicate significant lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management, and prima facie non-compliance on the part of the airline”. “Whereas as the CEO you are responsible for ensuring effective management of the airlines, but you have failed in your duty to ensure timely arrangements for the conduct of reliable operations and the availability of requisite facilities to the passenger,” said the notice. The DGCA noted “massive disruptions” in IndiGo’s schedule, causing “severe inconvenience, hardship and distress” to travellers. It also highlighted that the large-scale operational collapse points to “significant lapses in planning, oversight and resource management”.

 

In a video message on Friday, Elbers said that given the size, scale, and complexity of their operations, it will take some time to return to a full normal situation, “which we do anticipate between the 10 to 15th of December”. In an interaction with IANS, Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu said that measures have been implemented to prevent further issues for passengers amid the ongoing crisis of cancellations and delays with IndiGo. He also mentioned that any necessary strict action against the airline will be taken following an investigation. “We are conducting a thorough investigation into Indigo. We will take whatever steps are necessary with utmost caution. The Ministry has also formed a four-member team for this,” said the Minister. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has imposed a country-wide cap on domestic airfares in order to contain the sharp and sudden surge in ticket prices following massive disruptions at IndiGo. The cap ranges from Rs 7,500 to Rs 18,000 depending on the length of the route.

 

 

AIR India and Air India Express have said they were in the process of ensuring compliance with the latest directive on airfare caps issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Since December 4, both carriers have proactively capped economy-class airfares on non-stop domestic flights to prevent the usual demand–supply dynamics applied by automated revenue management systems. “In view of the widespread disruptions that travellers across India are currently experiencing, Air India and Air India Express announce a series of proactive measures to help those stranded reach their destinations,” said the airlines.

 

To provide greater flexibility, Air India and Air India Express have introduced a special waiver of change or cancellation fees on eligible domestic bookings. “With this, guests who booked their flights with either carrier until December 4 for travel until December 15 can reschedule their bookings to a future date without paying the applicable rescheduling fee (within the validity of the purchased ticket, as applicable) or can cancel their bookings with full refund (without any cancellation fee applied),” said the airlines. This one-time waiver is applicable for a change or cancellation made until December 8. “Fare difference, if any, in case of rescheduling will apply,” they said. Those who wish to reschedule or cancel their bookings with the one-time waiver can do so on the 24x7 contact centres of either carrier or through travel agents worldwide.

 

To address high call volumes and minimise response times, Air India and Air India Express have deployed additional resources at their 24x7 contact centres. Air India and Air India Express are also maximising availability of seats across all flights on their expansive network. “Wherever operationally feasible, eligible Economy Class passengers would be upgraded to higher cabins at no additional cost so that every available seat can be utilised to help stranded travellers. Both carriers are also operating additional flights on key routes to help travellers and their baggage reach their destinations as quickly as possible,” the airlines stated. Also, the airlines offer special discounted fares and benefits on their websites and mobile apps for students, senior citizens, members of the armed forces, and their dependents.