Whalesbook
The Lede
A significant Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court, targeting IndiGo airline and the Central Government over the widespread flight cancellations experienced in November and December. The plea seeks direction for the airline and the Centre to compensate passengers affected by these disruptions with four times the full ticket price.
This legal challenge arises from the recent implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations, which have reportedly strained IndiGo's operational capacity. The PIL highlights the severe inconvenience caused to thousands of passengers, including issues with baggage, lengthy delays, poor communication, and confusion regarding refunds and re-booking options.
The Core Issue
The petition alleges that IndiGo operates with a 'skeletal staffing' model, having approximately 14 pilots per aircraft. The introduction of new FDTL rules, which mandate increased rest periods for pilots, has reduced the effective availability of flight crews. This, according to the petitioners, has made the airline's existing staffing numbers insufficient to maintain its regular flight schedule, precipitating a national aviation crisis.
The Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), through its president Professor Vikram Singh, is the petitioner. They contend that the disruption and last-minute cancellation of thousands of flights have caused immense hardship and widespread concern across the aviation sector. The plea details how airports became overwhelmed with misdirected baggage and passengers faced excessive holdups.