New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has strongly refuted allegations made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, who claimed that the Centre's policies have fostered a "monopoly model" in the aviation industry, particularly in light of the recent disruptions experienced by IndiGo. The Minister urged Gandhi to avoid politicizing the issue, emphasizing the government's commitment to promoting competition within the sector.
Gandhi's criticism followed a period of significant flight cancellations and delays by IndiGo, leading him to assert that the "IndiGo fiasco" is a consequence of the government's "monopoly model". He argued that these disruptions disproportionately affect ordinary citizens and that India deserves fair competition across all sectors, not "match-fixing monopolies". IndiGo had cancelled over 550 flights on Thursday and around 400 flights on Friday, disrupting the travel plans of hundreds of passengers. The airline has told the aviation watchdog DGCA that operations are expected to be fully stabilized by February 10, 2026.
In response, Minister Naidu stated that the government's aim has consistently been to increase competition in the aviation sector, which benefits from new airlines, increased aircraft fleets, and reduced leasing costs. He highlighted legislative efforts to lower leasing costs, encouraging the addition of more aircraft.
The recent turmoil at IndiGo has brought to light concerns about the fragility of India's aviation sector, where IndiGo holds a dominant market share. As of August 2025, IndiGo held 64.2% of the domestic market share. Data from September 2025 shows IndiGo with 63% market share. The Air India group, comprising Air India and Air India Express, held a combined market share of 27.3% in August 2025. The remaining market share is distributed among airlines such as Akasa Air and SpiceJet.
The operational issues at IndiGo stemmed from the airline's failure to adequately adjust its roster planning to meet newly introduced government norms. These norms relate to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) which are designed to combat pilot fatigue and enhance aviation safety. Under the new FDTL rules, the weekly rest period for pilots has been increased to 48 hours from 36, and night landings have been limited to two from six. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has put these rules in abeyance with immediate effect.
The disruptions caused by IndiGo led to thousands of passengers being stranded at airports across the country. Minister Naidu has instructed IndiGo to process all refunds by the end of Sunday and address baggage claim requests within 48 hours.
The situation has sparked broader discussions about the state of competition in the Indian aviation market. Some experts suggest that the government could do more to encourage competition and protect passenger interests. This could involve supporting new entrants, attracting foreign airlines, and ensuring a level playing field for all industry players.
