.jpeg)
How the biggest airline in India lost control and caused havoc in aviation
In an attempt to catch a flight that would take her hundreds of miles to Kolkata city for her husband's ultimate farewell, Manjuri carried his coffin from town to town in northeastern India last week.
However, the challenging trip became intolerable when IndiGo, the biggest airline in the nation, caused delays that left her detained for hours before the aircraft was eventually canceled.
IndiGo's abrupt wave of cancellations sent India's aviation industry into one of its biggest crises in years, upending the plans of hundreds of thousands of travelers, including Manjuri.
However, the challenging trip became intolerable when IndiGo, the biggest airline in the nation, caused delays that left her detained for hours before the aircraft was eventually canceled.
IndiGo's abrupt wave of cancellations sent India's aviation industry into one of its biggest crises in years, upending the plans of hundreds of thousands of travelers, including Manjuri.
On December 5, a small number of delays turned into over 1,000 cancellations, leaving families stranded and leading many to miss important examinations, weddings, and funerals.
With a 60% market share and 2,000 daily flights, IndiGo was once the poster child of India's low-cost aviation boom. However, analysts warn that the airline is now in danger of losing its hard-won reputation as the nation's dependable, straightforward carrier.
"IndiGo could face significant financial damage from loss of revenue because of flight cancellations, refunds and other compensation to affected customers, along with potential penalties imposed by DGCA [the aviation regulator]" according to Moody's, a rating agency.
With a 60% market share and 2,000 daily flights, IndiGo was once the poster child of India's low-cost aviation boom. However, analysts warn that the airline is now in danger of losing its hard-won reputation as the nation's dependable, straightforward carrier.
"IndiGo could face significant financial damage from loss of revenue because of flight cancellations, refunds and other compensation to affected customers, along with potential penalties imposed by DGCA [the aviation regulator]" according to Moody's, a rating agency.
New crew-rostering regulations that allow pilots and cabin crew more rest are at the center of the dilemma. IndiGo is accused of failing to prepare for these changes, which left it short on legally rested employees and forced it to halt more than half of its fleet.
Following years of complaints to the regulator about pilot exhaustion, the regulations include tighter restrictions on night landings (two instead of six) and lengthier weekly rest periods for pilots (48 hours instead of 36).
Following years of complaints to the regulator about pilot exhaustion, the regulations include tighter restrictions on night landings (two instead of six) and lengthier weekly rest periods for pilots (48 hours instead of 36).
.jpeg)
The new tariff regulations were adopted by India's aviation body almost two years ago in order to bring them into compliance with international norms. Airlines are scheduled to implement them in two stages, in June and November of this year.
IndiGo has acknowledged that it hasn't been able to completely execute them in time, despite other big carriers like Air India claiming to have done so.
"Did they do this because adopting the new rules would have required them to hire hundreds of new pilots and raised costs?" Aviation specialist Mark Martin told the BBC.
"They were given several months' notice to put the regulations into effect. Every one of their rivals had obliged. Why was IndiGo unable to intervene? He inquired.
IndiGo has acknowledged that it hasn't been able to completely execute them in time, despite other big carriers like Air India claiming to have done so.
"Did they do this because adopting the new rules would have required them to hire hundreds of new pilots and raised costs?" Aviation specialist Mark Martin told the BBC.
"They were given several months' notice to put the regulations into effect. Every one of their rivals had obliged. Why was IndiGo unable to intervene? He inquired.
The airline expressed regret for the cancellations in many comments, citing "unforeseen operational challenges" ranging from inclement weather to "misjudgement and planning gaps" in the implementation of the now-retracted pilot fatigue regulations.
However, according to at least three IndiGo pilots the BBC spoke with, the situation was a reflection of a more serious problem where the airline is pursuing cost-cutting measures even at the expense of pilot tiredness.
While working extra may be common in some businesses, weariness is a hidden killer in the aviation industry, which places a strong priority on safety. On condition of anonymity, a pilot who has worked for the airline for more than ten years stated, "You don't even know its effects until it's too late."
However, according to at least three IndiGo pilots the BBC spoke with, the situation was a reflection of a more serious problem where the airline is pursuing cost-cutting measures even at the expense of pilot tiredness.
While working extra may be common in some businesses, weariness is a hidden killer in the aviation industry, which places a strong priority on safety. On condition of anonymity, a pilot who has worked for the airline for more than ten years stated, "You don't even know its effects until it's too late."
In addition to the emphasis on expenses, GR Gopinath, the founder of the now-defunct Air Deccan, said in the Economic Times newspaper that IndiGo's rapid growth, including the introduction of new foreign routes, "may also have distracted its management from looking into the 'boring' nitty-gritty [of rest norms]".
He further attributed the airline's unquestionable supremacy in the aviation industry to the fact that it flies over 100 million people a year and has a 60% market share in India.
"The airline is now essentially a monopoly. Additionally, monopolies lead to apathy, Mr. Gopinath argued.
He further attributed the airline's unquestionable supremacy in the aviation industry to the fact that it flies over 100 million people a year and has a 60% market share in India.
"The airline is now essentially a monopoly. Additionally, monopolies lead to apathy, Mr. Gopinath argued.
Many Indian airlines, including Jet Airways, Kingfisher, and GoAir, have failed during the last 15 years due to debt or crushing fuel and engine expenses. IndiGo swiftly filled the void left by competitors, growing into smaller cities and subsidiary routes where its blue-and-white aircraft came to represent air travel.
The company was able to achieve a level of market share that no Indian airline has held in decades because to shifting market factors.
However, Moody's, the rating agency, stated that the airline's lean operations, which offer cost savings during stable periods, "lacked the resilience needed for this change in regulations, leading to the need for a system-wide reboot that led to cancellation of around 1,600 flights on 5 December."
As the problem worsened, IndiGo said that operations will stabilize between December 10 and 15 and obtained a one-time exemption from the new regulations until February.
However, the Airline Pilots Association of India claims that this has weakened the spirit of the new laws "and gravely compromised the safety of the flying public" in a sharply worded letter to the regulator.
IndiGo refused the BBC's request to address the remarks made by its pilots and the assertions in the Pilots Association letter.
In light of persistent worries about declining on-time performance, experts told the BBC that it might take years for IndiGo to recover, with long-term consequences for its finances, safety, and reputation.
However, the Airline Pilots Association of India claims that this has weakened the spirit of the new laws "and gravely compromised the safety of the flying public" in a sharply worded letter to the regulator.
IndiGo refused the BBC's request to address the remarks made by its pilots and the assertions in the Pilots Association letter.
In light of persistent worries about declining on-time performance, experts told the BBC that it might take years for IndiGo to recover, with long-term consequences for its finances, safety, and reputation.
According to a recent study conducted by the online community platform LocalCircles, 54% of passengers who flew with the airline said they had a problem with its timeliness in the previous 12 months. Additionally, Moody's reports that its on-time performance decreased from 84% in October to 68% in November.
Rebuilding the faith of millions of passengers who vowed to support the brand, however, will be the most difficult task.
"IndiGo has shot itself in the foot and caused irreparable damage to its brand," stated Martin. "Other airlines will go after IndiGo's passengers."
In order to accommodate impacted IndiGo passengers, airlines such as Air India and Spice Jet have already started doing so, announcing hundreds of extra flights.
According to Mr. Martin, the airline may likewise struggle to fill pilot positions given the current circumstances.
India's aviation minister warned the airline of "very strict action" during Monday's parliamentary discussion on the matter.
Citing "significant lapses in planning, oversight," India's aviation authority sent IndiGo a show-cause notice and allegedly requested that the carrier reduce its flying schedule by 5%.
According to aviation expert Ameya Joshi, this is a "golden chance for the regulator to focus on making a good example out of IndiGo" even though it is unclear how the airline will be held accountable. The regulator has been contacted by the BBC for comment.
"In one instance, a well-capitalized airline has failed to complete a fundamental mission. According to Mr. Joshi, the nation looks up to the ministry and the regulator.
Citing "significant lapses in planning, oversight," India's aviation authority sent IndiGo a show-cause notice and allegedly requested that the carrier reduce its flying schedule by 5%.
According to aviation expert Ameya Joshi, this is a "golden chance for the regulator to focus on making a good example out of IndiGo" even though it is unclear how the airline will be held accountable. The regulator has been contacted by the BBC for comment.
"In one instance, a well-capitalized airline has failed to complete a fundamental mission. According to Mr. Joshi, the nation looks up to the ministry and the regulator.
Post a Comment
If you have any doubts, please tell me know