IndiGo crisis: Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu vows strict action if airline proved at fault

New Delhi: Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu again warned of tough action against IndiGo, the country’s biggest airline, for cancelling thousands of flights and throwing India’s travel into disarray since December 2, after failing to hire enough pilots to conform to new rest rules. The punishment will set an example for the industry, he said.

If the airline is found to be delinquent, chief operating officer Isidre Porqueras, the airline’s accountable manager, could face imprisonment of up to three years or a monetary penalty of ₹1 crore, or both, under new aircraft rules approved by Parliament last year.