The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture is set to summon top executives from various airlines and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) next week following the recent IndiGo flight disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded. The committee, chaired by JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha, is likely to hold the meeting on December 15 or 16 with all stakeholders. The panel will seek explanations from airline leaders, as well as officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA, to ascertain the reasons behind the disruptions and to explore potential solutions.
The decision to summon the airlines and the DGCA was prompted by serious concerns among committee members regarding the widespread chaos caused by the IndiGo flight cancellations. Members of Parliament (MPs) themselves experienced the disruptions, as many were traveling to the capital for the Winter Session. Numerous complaints have also surfaced regarding the surge in airfares during the period of disruption.
IndiGo reportedly cancelled over 220 flights at Delhi and Mumbai airports on Sunday, December 7, 2025, marking the sixth day of disruptions. The DGCA had previously sent notices to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO and Accountable Manager Porqueras, seeking an explanation for the situation. In response, IndiGo stated that its Board of Interglobe Aviation had established a Crisis Management Group to address the challenges and ensure passenger refunds.
One panel member revealed that the committee's investigation would focus on why IndiGo did not hire additional pilots despite advance notice of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules. The DGCA will also be asked to clarify whether stakeholders were consulted before implementing these changes. The FDTL rules, implemented in two phases between July 1 and November 1, increased the weekly rest period for pilots from 36 hours to 48 hours to better manage fatigue. IndiGo has been granted a temporary exemption from certain night operation-related changes under the new norms until February 10.
The IndiGo crisis has also triggered political reactions, with opposition parties raising concerns about monopolistic tendencies in the civil aviation sector. CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Brittas has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to form a joint parliamentary committee or a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate regulatory failures, airline preparedness, safety norm dilutions, and fare escalation patterns related to the IndiGo situation.
The upcoming meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee is expected to provide a platform for a thorough examination of the factors contributing to the IndiGo flight disruptions and to identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
