CPI(M) demands independent probe into IndiGo-led air travel crisis, flags monopoly and safety concerns

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday called for a high-level independent inquiry—either under the supervision of the Supreme Court or through a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)—to investigate the nationwide air travel crisis sparked by mass disruptions, predominantly involving India’s largest airline, IndiGo.

In a statement from its Politbureau, CPI(M) blamed the chaos on structural flaws in the sector, pointing to the emergence of a “virtual monopoly/duopoly” in air transport. The party alleged that the crisis stemmed from IndiGo’s failure to adequately prepare for new safety regulations on aircrew fatigue management mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following judicial orders, compounded by what they described as regulatory leniency.

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Expressing “strong resentment over the complete disregard for air travelers,” the CPI(M) accused IndiGo of attempting to circumvent the new safety norms despite having “ample time” to comply. This unpreparedness, the party said, led to IndiGo’s operations “coming to almost a grinding halt,” severely disrupting air travel across the country.

The statement also charged that IndiGo coerced the DGCA into postponing the implementation of these critical safety regulations, “seriously compromising safety.” The immediate fallout, according to CPI(M), was that the disruption allowed rival airlines to charge exorbitant fares, rendering air travel unaffordable for many, including those needing urgent medical transport.

Calling the crisis a “natural consequence of the structural deficiency” in the sector, the party warned that similar issues could plague other infrastructure areas dominated by monopolies, where “charges of cronyism flying thick and fast” have begun to surface. The Politbureau further spotlighted unverified allegations that IndiGo made political contributions to the BJP through electoral bonds, describing these as part of “unseemly developments.”

To address these concerns, CPI(M) demanded an independent, thorough inquiry—either with Supreme Court oversight or via a Joint Parliamentary Committee—to hold all responsible parties accountable. And also that the government strictly enforce price caps on airfares to protect consumers from exploitative pricing.

The party’s demands underline growing unease over monopolistic practices, regulatory compromises, and consumer interests in India’s civil aviation sector amid recent operational turmoil.