[Marxistindia] Institute Enquiry on Fiasco in Air Travel

[news from the cpi(m)]

December 08, 2025

Press Statement

 

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the
following statement:

 

Institute Enquiry on Fiasco in Air Travel

 

The CPI(M) expresses its strong resentment over the complete disregard for
air travelers in the country. It views the current crisis in air travel in
the country, as a result of structural factors relating to the emergence of
a virtual monopoly/duopoly in India's air transport sector. 

 

New regulations introduced by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA),
subsequent to judicial directives, were meant to ensure fatigue management
of the aircrew particularly that of the pilots, and address concerns of
safety of air travelers in general. On the one hand, despite having ample
time to do so, Indigo did not take adequate preparations, thereby bringing
their operations to almost a grinding halt. In the wake of this
unprecedented situation, they even managed to coerce the DGCA to postpone
the implementation of its regulations, thereby seriously compromising
safety. On the other hand, the abrupt disruption of Indigo flights created
conditions for other airlines to make huge windfall profits, making air
travel itself unviable, even for medical emergencies. 

 

The current crisis is a natural consequence of the structural deficiency
that has been created in the air transport sector over the years. It also
signals a forewarning for other infrastructure sectors where similar
monopolies and duopolies have emerged with charges of cronyism flying thick
and fast. Incidentally, allegations of Indigo contributing towards the BJP
through the electoral bonds have also surfaced. 

 

In view of these unseemly developments, the Polit Bureau demands that, a
proper independent enquiry, either with Supreme Court oversight or through a
Joint Parliamentary Committee, be initiated immediately to fix the
accountability of all those who are responsible. The government must also
ensure that the price cap on airfares is firmly adhered to at all times.

 

 

Muralidharan

(For CPI(M) Central Committee Office)

 

 

 

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