Indigo disruptions: CPI(M) leader demands probe; claims possible collision between airlines-DGCA

New Delhi, Dec 7 (PTI) CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby on Sunday demanded a probe into the IndiGo disruptions, and alleged a "possible collusion" between airline companies with the DGCA to stall the implementation of the revised safety norms and "profiteer from the engineered chaos".

In a post on X, Baby called the disruptions a "criminal action " by IndiGo airlines, and also accused the union government of having a "bleated and meek" response to the crisis.

"The belated and meek response of the Union government to the unprecedented crisis in the civil aviation sector is unacceptable. It is clear from the chain of events that there was criminal action on the part of IndiGo Airlines and possible collusion of airline companies with the DGCA to stall the implementation of the revised safety norms and profiteer from the engineered chaos," the CPI(M) General Secretary said.

"Immediate intervention is required. Suo motu action must be taken, and all aggrieved passengers should immediately be given full refunds and adequate compensation for what they had to endure," he said.

He said it is pertinent to note that this situation has arisen due to the privatisation of Air India and the creation of a private sector duopoly "under the blessings of the Union Government, favouring corporate houses that are known to have donated huge sums of money to the BJP".

He said the safety of both passengers and workers has been undermined to pave the way for rampant profiteering, with regulatory bodies turning a blind eye.

"This cannot be allowed. A Joint Parliamentary Committee or a Judicial Commission should be constituted to comprehensively investigate the matter," he said.

Earlier, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee or a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the unprecedented nationwide disruption of air services and the consequent surge in airfares.

The IndiGo airline had cancelled over 1,000 flights on Friday, leading to chaos with thousands stranded at airports.

IndiGo is operating 1,650 flights of its 2,300 daily domestic and international flights on Sunday, and 650 have been cancelled for the day, amid the airline's operations gradually stabilising after massive disruptions in the last five days, the airline said.

According to the government, refunds totalling Rs 610 crore have been issued so far against cancelled or severely delayed flights, and 3,000 pieces of baggage have been delivered to passengers across the country as of Saturday, after government had directed the airline to complete the ticket refund process for the cancelled flights by Sunday evening, and ensure baggage separated from travellers are delivered in the next two days. PTI AO MPL MPL