New Delhi, Dec 8 (UNI) The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday expressed concern over the ongoing nationwide chaos triggered by massive flight cancellations and delays by IndiGo Airlines, but declined to grant an urgent hearing on a plea seeking immediate judicial intervention.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that lakhs of passengers were stranded across airports and many may be facing health-related hardships due to the disruption.
However, the Court noted that the union government has already taken cognisance of the crisis and is acting on it.
“It is a serious matter. Lakhs of people are stranded at airports. We know there may be health issues and other hardships. But the Government of India has taken timely action and cognisance of the issue,” CJI Kant said while refusing urgent listing of the petition.
The matter is expected to be listed in the normal course.
The plea, mentioned for an early hearing, claimed that the airline’s operational shortage, particularly a severe pilot crunch and difficulties in implementing the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, has led to large-scale cancellations without adequate communication to passengers.
“Customers are not informed,” the counsel submitted, adding that vacancies and internal mismanagement at IndiGo have worsened the crisis.
IndiGo, which accounts for nearly 60 percent of India’s aviation market, has been severely hit by the shortage of pilots. Although the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted certain exemptions to the airline, cancellations continue at major airports, causing widespread inconvenience.
The plea before the Supreme Court, filed by Advocate Aman Banka, describes the situation as a “nationwide aviation collapse” affecting essential public services and undermining rights under Article 21 of the Constitution. It highlights the cascading impact on healthcare, education, government functioning, and personal emergencies, ranging from missed medical procedures and academic deadlines to postponed court hearings, business losses, and significant emotional distress.
The petition also criticises the DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation for an allegedly delayed and insufficient response, arguing that regulatory authorities failed to anticipate or prevent the crisis despite IndiGo’s market dominance.
Calling air travel a “vital public infrastructure,” the plea seeks directions for a status report from the DGCA and the Ministry on the root causes of the disruption and the remedial steps underway. It further requests the framing of emergency aviation protocols to ensure alternative travel arrangements, compensation, and prioritised support for medical emergencies.
A related petition seeking refunds and passenger support has also been filed in the Delhi High Court.
The Bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, noting the Centre’s response, agreed to hear the matter on Wednesday.
For now, the Supreme Court has refrained from intervening, stating that the executive is already addressing the situation.
