After more than 2,000 flight cancellations in the previous week, IndiGo is facing criticism for its failure to adapt to new aviation regulations, leading to widespread flight disruptions.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed concerns about what he labeled as a monopolistic aviation system. He emphasized his opposition to monopolies and oligopolies, advocating against the concentration of economic power in the hands of a select few.
The recent flight chaos primarily arose from a pilot shortage due to IndiGo’s inadequate preparation for new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations, restricting pilots’ working hours.
IndiGo’s dominance in India’s aviation market is unparalleled, controlling 64.2% of the domestic market compared to Air India’s 27.3%. With such a significant market share held by a single airline, disruptions at IndiGo quickly impact the entire aviation network in India.
The sheer scale of IndiGo’s operations highlights its dominance, boasting a fleet of around 400 aircraft, double the size of Air India’s fleet. IndiGo conducted over 6.8 lakh domestic flights in the past year, serving over 10 crore passengers, far surpassing Air India’s figures.
Comparing data globally reveals that IndiGo’s market control is exceptional, with no major airline in any other country holding such dominance in its home market. This analysis focuses on the largest aviation markets worldwide to assess the dominance of leading airlines.
While India’s aviation market isn’t a strict duopoly, the combined control of IndiGo and Air India, including Air India Express, represents about 92% of the domestic market, operating akin to a duopoly.
In various countries like Australia, Canada, and the Middle East, duopolies or oligopolies exist among major airlines. These market structures, with a few dominant airlines, can lead to significant impacts on the aviation industry and passengers alike.
Following a week of flight disruptions, IndiGo aims to operate 1,802 flights to almost all destinations on Monday, while cancelling 500 services. The Civil Aviation Ministry reported that IndiGo has already reunited 4,500 stranded bags with passengers and is working to return the remaining 4,500 within the next 36 hours.