IndiGo Aims to Overcome Operational Challenges After Fog-Related Chaos; CEO Acknowledges Need for Improvement
In the aftermath of the recent dense fog-induced chaos that disrupted flight operations, IndiGo’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, has pledged to work collaboratively with the aviation ecosystem to enhance operational efficiency and minimize disruptions. Elbers, speaking at the Wings India 2024 aviation event in Hyderabad, emphasized the need for a collective effort involving air traffic control, airports, authorities, operators, and security personnel to evaluate and implement better strategies. The commitment follows a ₹1.2 crore fine imposed on IndiGo by aviation authorities for violating norms during the fog-related disruptions on Sunday.
The airline faced significant challenges as nearly one-third of its 86 destinations are in northern India, where the fog had a profound impact. Passengers on a Goa to Delhi flight made headlines as they refused to disembark in Mumbai after a diversion due to poor visibility in Delhi. The incident, where passengers dined on the tarmac during a 12-hour delay, led to fines issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Elbers assured that IndiGo is reviewing its operations and collaborating with the industry to prevent future disruptions, while also highlighting recent updates to the navigation system. Despite the current delays, he anticipates normal flight operations by the upcoming week. IndiGo’s on-time performance (OTP) has suffered, registering at 43.7% on Wednesday, as per civil aviation ministry data.
Elbers attributed this decline to cascading effects from flight cancellations and delays on January 14. To address these issues, he emphasized the importance of expanding the airline’s digital network to ensure frontline staff can provide accurate information to customers. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed concern over the incident, labeling it as “shameful.” He underscored the government’s commitment to passenger safety, revealing that penalties were swiftly imposed within 24 hours of issuing notices in response to the unacceptable inconvenience faced by passengers.
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