India’s largest private carrier, IndiGo Airlines, is grappling with a severe pilot shortage crisis, which has led to widespread chaos and disruption across the country’s airport network. In a span of just four days, over 1,200 flights have been cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major hubs including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad.
😡 Passenger Distress and Political Fallout
🎬 Viral Confrontations
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According to Indian media reports, passengers suffered extreme mental distress while waiting for hours without adequate food or updates regarding their flights.
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At several airports, distraught passengers were filmed clashing with airline staff. Videos of these confrontations went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism toward the airline’s poor handling of the crisis.
📢 Opposition Leader’s Scrutiny
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi of the Congress Party lashed out at the government over the crisis. He claimed that the disruption faced by the private airline is a direct consequence of the government’s policies and its ‘monopoly model’. Gandhi stated that ordinary Indian citizens are paying the price for this with frustrating delays, cancellations, and a feeling of helplessness, underscoring systemic failures within India’s civil aviation sector.
