164 flight cancellations in three months: Aviation Minister details causes

During the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu addressed concerns raised by MPs regarding repeated flight delays and cancellations, especially affecting Air India Express flights in Kerala. The minister emphasized that "passenger is the top priority" and provided detailed statistics on cancellations between April and June, which totaled 164.

He attributed the issues to the merger with AirAsia, a mass strike in May, and a software glitch, all of which contributed to operational challenges. Naidu assured that the situation has since stabilized and the ministry is committed to preventing further disruptions. He highlighted existing regulations and mentioned a ₹10 lakh fine imposed on Air India for non-compliance.

In response to MPs Amra Ram and KC Venugopal's questions, Naidu acknowledged the plight of Indians in the Middle East facing frequent delays and cancellations, often without reimbursement. He reiterated that the ministry is actively monitoring the situation and working to ensure passengers receive appropriate refunds and accommodations.

Addressing concerns about high airfares to Gulf countries, Naidu explained the market-driven approach to pricing and the impact of grounded planes on ticket costs. He reassured that efforts are ongoing to make airfares affordable and mentioned that India has the highest number of aircraft orders globally, which he described as a positive development for the country's aviation sector.