Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu told Parliament that India must expand its airline ecosystem to prevent any single player from gaining overwhelming control, especially after the recent wave of IndiGo cancellations disrupted travel across the country. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he said airport operations were now &ldquo;returning to normalcy&rdquo; after days of chaos.
Naidu made it clear that the government wants a stronger, more diverse aviation market and is already working on policies that support new carriers entering the sector. Emphasising the need for wider competition, he said, &ldquo;Going forward, the government is determined to make a more robust and competitive aviation system. Through our policies, we are encouraging more new airlines to start and operate in India.&rdquo;
He argued that increasing the number of airlines would benefit travellers and ensure a fairer operating environment. &ldquo;More airlines mean more choice, more affordability and more resilience for the passengers,&rdquo; Naidu said. He added that greater variety in carriers would &ldquo;ensure fair access to airport capacity&rdquo; and remove any &ldquo;possibility of duopoly.&rdquo;
The minister reiterated that no airline can be allowed to inconvenience passengers due to internal failures. Referring to IndiGo, he said the widespread flight cancellations resulted from the carrier&rsquo;s own rostering lapses. &ldquo;No airline, however large, will be permitted to cause such hardship to passengers through planning failures, non-compliance,&rdquo; he warned.
Defending the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) implemented in November, Naidu said the norms were &ldquo;scientifically designed&rdquo; to prevent pilot fatigue and enhance safety. He noted that IndiGo had earlier confirmed it was prepared for the winter schedule under the new rules.
Despite that assurance, Naidu said, &ldquo;It was observed that internal rostering disruptions led to large scale cancellations,&rdquo; placing the responsibility directly on the airline.
The minister added that airports across India had stabilised and were now operating without crowding or distress. Refunds, lost baggage support and passenger care remain under close monitoring by the ministry. He confirmed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued show-cause notices to IndiGo&rsquo;s senior leadership and has begun a detailed enforcement inquiry. Further action will follow once the investigation is complete.
Naidu also highlighted that India continues to see strong aviation demand, with passenger numbers rising 12 percent year over year. He said the government is committed to supporting this momentum through stronger regulation, better preparedness and more competition in the skies.

Govt Pushes for More Airlines Amid IndiGo Chaos

Aviation minister says expanding airlines will boost competition and prevent a duopoly

Govt Pushes for More Airlines Amid IndiGo Chaos

Aviation minister says expanding airlines will boost competition and prevent a duopoly

December 9, 2025 | 21:04 IST