IndiGo Chairman Denies Crisis Engineering, Rules Influence Amid Flight Cancellations
Image Source: Internet
The chairman of IndiGo, Vikram Singh Mehta, has dismissed allegations that the airline engineered its recent operational crisis and attempted to influence government rules. The claims surfaced as IndiGo cancelled thousands of flights due to its failure to implement the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules. The Centre has directed IndiGo to reduce its operations by 10% and has summoned the airline's CEO, Pieter Elbers, to provide an update on the crisis. In a video statement, Mehta acknowledged that IndiGo had let its customers down and was answerable to various stakeholders. However, he denied allegations that the mass flight cancellations were an 'IndiGo-engineered crisis', that the airline tried to influence government rules, or that it compromised safety. Mehta attributed the disruptions to a combination of internal and external factors, including minor technical glitches, adverse weather conditions, and increased congestion in the aviation system. He also stated that the airline had followed the pilot fatigue rules as they came into effect and operated under the new rules throughout. Operations have largely returned to normal, with refunds worth several hundred crores processed and hotel and travel assistance provided to affected passengers. The airline's board has also decided to involve external technical experts to help determine the root cause of the situation and ensure corrective action. The crisis has led to a significant impact on IndiGo's operations, with nearly 220 flights cancelled on Wednesday. Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru airports reported the highest numbers of cancellations.
