The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, led by JD(U) representative Sanjay Jha, is set to request explanations from airline executives and officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation about the reasons for the disruption in air services and potential remedies.
A committee member noted that the panel is taking the struggles of thousands of passengers seriously due to the interruption in air travel.
Even members of Parliament, who were in the capital for the Winter Session, experienced the impact of IndiGo’s flight cancellations and other airlines’ delays, according to the committee member.
Also read | IndiGo has been mandated to process refunds and return passenger baggage by the evening of December 7
Several MPs have also reported receiving complaints from constituents regarding soaring airfares as a result of the situation.
Meanwhile, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Brittas, who is not on the standing committee for transport, has called for the establishment of a joint parliamentary committee or a judicial review into the extensive flight disruptions.
On Sunday, IndiGo canceled over 220 flights at Delhi and Mumbai airports, marking the sixth day of disruptions while efforts to restore normal operations continued.
The DGCA issued notices to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO and Accountable Manager Porqueras on Saturday, seeking their explanations.
Also read | The aviation ministry has implemented a cap on airfares amid IndiGo disruptions to safeguard passengers from price hikes
In a statement released on Sunday, IndiGo announced that the Board of Interglobe Aviation, its parent company, has formed a Crisis Management Group that convenes regularly to assess the situation. The Board of Directors is committed to addressing customer challenges and ensuring passenger refunds, the company stated.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
