Blames it on crew rostering systems 

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu delivered a firm and pointed response in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, asserting that the government will take strict action against any violations that contributed to the recent operational crisis at Indigo Airlines. His remarks came following questions raised by Congress MP Pramod Tiwari.

Clarifying widespread speculation, the Minister stated that the disruptions were not connected to the AMSS system outage. “The Indigo crisis that we are seeing is due to issues in their crew rostering systems and their internal planning failure,” he said, placing responsibility squarely on the airline’s internal management lapses.

Outlining the sequence of events, Minister Naidu explained that the updated Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) came into effect on November 1, 2025, following a High Court directive. Of the 22 new guidelines, 15 had already been implemented smoothly on July 1, and the remaining came into force after extensive, months-long consultations with all stakeholders. Multiple airlines had requested operational variations due to their unique route structures and fleet types. 

The DGCA evaluated each request rigorously and granted permissions only after detailed safety risk assessments. Naidu stressed that airlines operated for over a month under the revised FDTL norms without reporting disruptions.Even during a meeting with Indigo on December 1, he noted, the airline flagged no operational concerns. “No issues were brought to the Ministry's notice,” he said. 

However, by December 3, widespread cancellations by Indigo affected thousands of passengers, prompting immediate intervention by the Ministry. The situation has since stabilized. Reiterating the government’s priority, the Minister declared, “Safety is non-negotiable. We care for the pilots, crew, system, and passengers.” He affirmed that an inquiry into Indigo’s failures is underway. “We will take strict action and set an example for any non-compliance in the future.”

AP CM expresses concern  

Amaravati: Adding to the ongoing national discussion on the Indigo operational crisis, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed concern over the disruption faced by air travelers and emphasized the importance of adhering to global aviation standards. He noted that the Union government had introduced Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms in line with international best practices, ensuring that pilots and crew members receive adequate rest. Taking a political swipe, Naidu accused the YSRCP of attempting to politicize the issue. “YSRCP is a directionless party. Their only agenda is to create confusion and sling mud, even in matters of national importance,” he said, criticizing the opposition for what he called opportunistic commentary. The Chief Minister reiterated that aviation safety and passenger welfare remain paramount and affirmed his support for the Centre’s efforts to restore normalcy in the sector.