The Delhi High Court on Wednesday denied a public interest litigation (PIL) urging the Centre and IndiGo airline to pay four times the ticket price as compensation to thousands of passengers affected by flight cancellations in November and December. The cancellations stemmed from new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela highlighted that the court already acknowledged the issue through a pending PIL. They granted liberty for the petitioner to intervene in the ongoing case.
The Bench remarked, “We do not see any reason as to why the concerns raised here cannot be taken up in the earlier petition.” The court emphasized the flexibility allowed by jurisprudence in such matters.
In response to the petition, the court stated, “We decline to entertain this petition with liberty to the petitioner to seek intervention in the pending petition. The writ petition stands disposed of.”
The Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), represented by its president, Prof. Vikram Singh, initiated this PIL, arguing that the recent IndiGo flight cancellations have alarmed many. The plea underscored the chaos experienced by passengers due to last-minute cancellations.
Advocate Virag Gupta, representing the petitioner, illustrated the turmoil at airports, detailing instances of misdirected baggage, long delays, scant communication, and confusion over refunds and re-booking options. The crisis left thousands stranded and aggravated public sentiment against the airline.
The PIL also called for an independent investigation led by a retired judge or the Lokpal to scrutinize alleged deficiencies by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which may have contributed to passengers’ plight.
On December 10, the Delhi High Court scrutinized the Central Government regarding its lacking prompt actions to mitigate the issues caused by IndiGo’s mass flight cancellations. The court questioned why the crisis was allowed to develop unchecked, affecting scores of passengers while other airlines reportedly increased fares.
This inquiry arose during the hearing of another PIL, which seeks governmental assistance and refunds for passengers impacted by the cancellation of numerous IndiGo flights.
Since December 2, IndiGo has faced backlash from passengers and government officials alike for scrapping a significant number of flights due to regulatory changes. The modifications to pilots’ duty time and rest norms under the revised FDTL framework have led to widespread dismay among affected travelers.
As the situation unfolds, industry experts remain concerned about the long-term implications on passenger trust and the airline’s reputation. Travelers await not only answers but resolutions that will restore some order and reliability to a beleaguered aviation sector.
