IndiGo crisis: Supreme Court refuses urgent listing, says 'government took cognisance of issue'

IndiGo on Sunday cancelled over 650 flights, even as disrupted operations showed signs of stabilising with a decline in cancellations.

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea seeking an urgent hearing in the matter regarding the recent cancellations and delays of commercial passenger flights by the airline company IndiGo.

The plea was mentioned by an advocate who stated that flights have been delayed in 95 airports in the country, and people are suffering because of it.

“We understand that lakhs of people are stranded. Maybe some people have urgent work, and they are not able to... But then the government of India has taken cognisance of the issue. Timely steps appear to have been taken. We don’t see any urgency right now,” said Chief Justice Surya Kant.

More than 4,500 flights have been cancelled since Tuesday last week. IndiGo has been facing heat from both the government and the passengers for cancelling hundreds of flights since December 2, citing regulatory changes in the pilots' flight duty and regulations norms.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in Delhi on Monday issued a fresh passenger advisory urging travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

According to the passenger advisory by Delhi Airport, IndiGo flights may continue to face delays. "Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status with their airline before heading to the airport to avoid any inconvenience. Our teams are working closely with all stakeholders to minimize disruptions and ensure a smoother travel experience. For assistance, including medical support, please visit the information desk where on-ground staff is ready to help," the advisory stated.

It also highlighted the availability of multiple public transport options, including metro services, buses, and cabs, to help travellers commute to and from the airport more conveniently during the ongoing disruptions. "For real-time updates and important information, please visit our official website: www.newdelhiairportnin," it further read.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Sunday granted IndiGo CEO a one-time 24-hour extension to submit its response to the show-cause notice over massive disruptions.

The airline regulator said that the IndiGo's functionaries on Sunday sought additional time for a response citing operational constraints due to the scale of its nationwide operations and multiple unavoidable factors.