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.