Mamata Banerjee Slams Centre Over Indigo Flight Chaos, Says New Aviation Rules Threw Passengers Into “Disaster”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government over the ongoing Indigo flight disruptions which has thousands of flights cancelled over the last seven days, accusing it of enforcing new aviation rules without any contingency planning and pushing thousands of passengers into chaos.

Speaking to reporters outside Kolkata airport before leaving for a two-day visit to North Bengal, Banerjee said the aviation sector crisis could have been avoided had the Centre allowed airlines 15–20 days to prepare alternative arrangements.

“Most flights have been stopped without any planning. It is very unfortunate,” she said, adding that airfares on the few operational flights had shot up drastically. “A ticket that normally costs Rs 3,000 is now Rs 50,000. How will common people travel?”

Banerjee cited the recent case of a couple who failed to reach their wedding reception due to the disruption and had to join the event over a video call.

“I have never seen such paralysis. This is a disaster,” she said, demanding compensation for all affected passengers.

The Chief Minister, who delivered most of her comments in English “to reach out to victims across the country,” accused the Centre of negligence. “How can you push people into such hardship? Thousands and lakhs of passengers are stuck inside airports, frustrated, and mentally harassed,” she said.

She urged the Centre to ensure that “at least half the flights remain operational” until airlines stabilise their staffing and scheduling.

Banerjee also attacked the BJP government, alleging that it was more focused on elections than governance.

“They have no interest in the country’s problems. Their only concern is how to control votes, EVMs, the Election Commission and central agencies. They don’t think about people. That is their biggest problem,” she said.

The disruption stems from the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules which were brought into force earlier this month by aviation regulator DGCA.

Indigo, which operates a large number of late-night flights and offers relatively low fares, has been hit the hardest. The airline lacks the required number of pilots and crew to operate its schedule under the new norms which give pilots more rest hours in order to ensure flight safety, triggering massive cancellations and leaving passengers stranded nationwide.

Banerjee said, “Pilots need rest, that I fully understand. But before enforcing such rules, the Centre should have given 15–20 days to build an alternative plan. They knew the public would suffer the most.”

Without naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she added, “Some people spend more time abroad than dealing with the country’s problems. Those who have caused such losses must compensate the people.” She also advised affected passengers to seek legal remedy.