IndiGo COO, aviation officials appear before parliamentary panel to seek answers to flight disruptions
IndiGo Chief Operating Officer Isidro Porqueras appeared before the parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture on Wednesday to address the widespread disruption caused by the airline’s cancellation of hundreds of flights starting December 2.
During the hearing, the panel, chaired by JD(U) leader Sanjay Jha, pressed IndiGo executives and representatives of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for a clear explanation. However, PTI news agency sources present at the meeting described the responses as “evasive and unconvincing”, leaving the panel unhappy with the lack of direct accountability.
The panel met for nearly four hours, in the presence of top aviation officials, including Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, alongside representatives of other major airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, Akasha and SpiceJet. The committee highlighted the serious implications of the disruption of services, both for the public and parliamentarians, who were affected by the cancellations and delays during the winter session in Delhi.
Aviation regulator DGCA had earlier issued notices to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Porqueras, asking them to explain the reasons behind the large-scale cancellations. In response to the crisis, IndiGo’s board of directors created a crisis management group. The airline further assured that the company’s board of directors is doing everything possible to address the challenges faced by its customers and ensure refunds to passengers.
Several MPs expressed concern that the disruptions may have been linked to the implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) standards. Some questioned whether the department was sufficiently prepared for such scenarios or whether the situation constituted an “arm twisting technique” by the airline to seek an exemption from the new regulations.
Sources close to the committee confirmed that the panel did not reach a conclusive opinion during Wednesday’s meeting. Instead, the commission chose to await the results of an ongoing investigation, ordered by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, before determining responsibility for the disruptions. A source close to the meeting said the airline had tried to shift blame to technical problems rather than taking responsibility.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has constituted a four-member committee to probe the operational lapses that led to the widespread flight cancellations. Its report is expected to be submitted by December 28, after which further measures could be considered by the parliamentary panel.
(With PTI inputs)
