TMC MP Saket Gokhale raises concerns over IndiGo flight delays due to lack of crew members

Trinamool Congress (TMC) representative Saket Gokhale has heightened concerns at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) concerning the persisting flight delays plaguing IndiGo Airlines, primarily stemming from issues with crew availability.

Directly addressing DGCA's director-general, Vikram Dev Dutt, Gokhale pressed for immediate action and sought a detailed account of measures undertaken by the airline within a week.



Concurrently, IndiGo has unveiled a significant development by abolishing fuel surcharges across its domestic and international flights. Effective immediately from January 4, 2024, this decision follows a decline in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices. Initially imposed due to soaring ATF costs back in October 2023, the elimination of this additional charge is welcomed by passengers.

"IndiGo is delighted to announce the removal of fuel surcharges on both domestic and international flights, effective January 4, 2024. The implementation of these charges in October 2023 was in direct response to the upsurge in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices," as conveyed by the airline.

This move is expected to particularly benefit passengers utilizing low-cost airlines. Given that ATF accounts for nearly 40% of an airline's expenses, this decision is expected to alleviate financial burdens on passengers.

Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Gokhale approached the DGCA on January 5, underscoring the consistent last-minute delays experienced by IndiGo passengers. He shared a personal incident where a delay almost resulted in a missed connecting flight. Numerous social media complaints mirrored Gokhale's concerns, attributing these disruptions to crew unavailability.

Since October 6, 2023, IndiGo had levied fuel surcharges ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 1,000, depending on the distance traveled. However, with the recent decline in ATF prices, the airline promptly rescinded these charges from January 4, 2024, particularly easing airfares on longer routes.

Despite this positive change, Gokhale's outreach to the DGCA underscores the significance of addressing operational challenges affecting IndiGo's flight schedules. IndiGo, a dominant player in the market, is continuously expanding its operations while simultaneously adapting its pricing strategies in response to market dynamics.

As passengers welcome the removal of fuel surcharges, Gokhale's plea emphasizes the importance of rectifying operational hurdles to ensure smoother travel experiences for all IndiGo passengers.