In a sharp rebuke to the Union government, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday questioned why authorities failed to prevent the widespread disruption caused by massive flight cancellations and delays by Indigo Airlines. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela said the Centre acted only after the crisis spiralled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across airports.
“You allowed the situation to precipitate and only then did you take action. Why did you allow all this to happen? Are you helpless?” the Bench asked, demanding clarity on what statutory powers the government and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had to act against defaulting airlines.
The Court expressed “anguish” that the situation not only caused grave inconvenience but had economic implications, noting that air travel is critical to the country’s functioning. It further directed Indigo to strictly comply with DGCA’s compensation rules and ensure all eligible passengers receive timely redress.
ASG Chetan Sharma informed the Court that a one-time exemption under Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) had been granted to Indigo until February 2026, with fortnightly reviews. However, the Bench noted that these measures were implemented only after the crisis erupted, and asked why the 2024 guidelines on pilot fatigue and rest were not implemented on time.
The Court also questioned DGCA on its enforcement powers under Section 4 and the government on its authority under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam to penalise non-compliant airlines. The Bench asked whether pilot overwork, highlighting instances of pilots doing “six landings in a night instead of two”, compromised passenger safety.
Indigo, represented by Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, argued that the airline was already operating at 90% capacity and that this was the first such crisis in its 19-year history. The Court, however, said this did not absolve the airline and insisted passengers must be compensated for both cancellations and the agony suffered, including alleged hostility from staff.
The Court also took issue with the PIL filed by two advocates, calling it poorly researched, though it proceeded to hear the matter given the significant public interest involved. The Bench directed that if the ongoing inquiry into the Indigo crisis is completed, the report must be filed in a sealed cover by the next hearing on January 22, 2026.
Indigo’s pilot shortage and failure to implement the revised FDTL norms reportedly triggered the crisis, forcing DGCA to grant exemptions and order a 5% cut in scheduled flights. Meanwhile, ticket prices skyrocketed from ₹5,000 to nearly ₹30,000 during the disruption, prompting further criticism from the Court over market exploitation by airlines.
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