Aviation Crisis Is Result of Privatisation, Not Just IndiGo Failure: A A Rahim

New Delhi: CPI(M) MP A A Rahim has held the Union government directly responsible for the ongoing crisis involving IndiGo, stating that it is the outcome of unchecked privatisation and deregulation that has reduced India’s aviation sector to a duopoly. Speaking during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Rahim warned the government against diluting Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules to favour the airline.

Rahim said the problem is far bigger than IndiGo alone. He squarely blamed the crisis on the Centre’s economic policies. “The sole culprit behind this huge crisis is the Union government. This is the direct result of neo-liberal policies, privatisation and deregulation of the aviation sector,” he said.

Highlighting the dangerous level of market concentration, Rahim pointed out that IndiGo now operates 65.6 percent of all flights in the country, while Air India controls another 25.7 percent. “More than 90 percent of India’s aviation sector is now in the hands of just two corporate powers — IndiGo and Tata,” he said, referring to the Tata Group that owns Air India.

The CPI(M) MP rejected the government’s claims that Air India’s privatisation would transform the airline. He said the reality on the ground is entirely different. “In terms of safety, quality of service and quality of aircraft, the situation is extremely poor. The government deliberately created the idea that public sector units are useless and that only private companies can perform miracles,” Rahim said.

He also accused Tata-owned Air India of exploiting the ongoing IndiGo crisis for profit. “What is Air India doing during this so-called IndiGo crisis? It is making money out of people’s hardship,” he alleged.

Citing his own travel experience, Rahim exposed the failure of the government’s fare control measures. Despite a government order issued last Friday fixing a ceiling of 18,000 for routes beyond 1,500 kilometres, he said he found a Delhi–Thiruvananthapuram economy class ticket priced at 64,783 for same-day travel on Wednesday morning. “What control does the government actually have? It has no control over private airlines,” he said.

Rahim strongly cautioned the Centre against relaxing FDTL rules or granting any special exemptions to IndiGo. He demanded strict regulatory mechanisms to control airfares and ensure passenger safety in a market now dominated by two corporate players.