The Delhi High Court has strongly criticized the Union government and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for their failure to prevent the recent crisis involving widespread flight cancellations and delays, particularly those affecting IndiGo passengers. A bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela expressed their concern over the situation, questioning why authorities allowed the crisis to escalate and leave passengers stranded.
The court's primary concern was how the situation was allowed to "precipitate," resulting in significant inconvenience to passengers across airports. The bench stated that the issue extends beyond mere passenger inconvenience, impacting the nation's economy, as the efficient movement of passengers is crucial for a functioning economy. The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking support and refunds for passengers affected by the mass cancellations.
The High Court questioned the government's actions, specifically asking why measures weren't taken to prevent the situation from worsening. The court inquired about the provisions in place to address airlines that fail to comply with Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) guidelines, which regulate the duty hours of crew members. The court further pressed the government on whether it was "helpless" in acting against IndiGo.
A key point of contention was the soaring airfares in the wake of the IndiGo crisis. The court questioned how other airlines were permitted to exploit the situation by drastically increasing ticket prices. The bench noted instances where ticket prices surged from ₹5,000 to ₹30,000-35,000. The DGCA responded that the unprecedented surge has been controlled.
The court has directed IndiGo to compensate the affected passengers, not only for flight cancellations but also for the inconvenience and distress caused by the disruptions. The airline must strictly adhere to the DGCA's compensation rules, accounting for the "agony caused by hostile staff and prolonged delays".
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has filed a contempt of court petition against the DGCA, alleging a deliberate failure to enforce pilot fatigue rules under the FDTL framework. The FIP argues that the DGCA's non-compliance with court directives on FDTL implementation has jeopardized aviation safety and contributed to the current crisis. The petition claims the DGCA granted undue relaxations to airlines regarding FDTL norms, despite prior commitments to the court. The FIP also disputes claims of pilot shortages, asserting that pilots are being underutilized. The High Court is scheduled to hear the contempt petition on December 15.
The Centre's counsel attributed the crisis to IndiGo's failure to prepare for the new FDTL norms. The court, however, questioned why authorities didn't act sooner, considering IndiGo's failure to implement FDTL by November 1. The court has instructed authorities to restore normalcy in operations and ensure all airlines maintain adequate pilot strength. The next hearing is scheduled for January 22, 2026, and the court has requested that the inquiry committee's report be submitted in a sealed cover, if completed by then.
