IndiGo, SpiceJet asked to explain cancellation of flights

New Delhi: The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued notices to private air carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet today asking them to explain why they did not take the regulator's prior approval to curtail their flight schedules as is required by the rule.

The notices were issued under Rule 140(A) of Aircraft Rules, as it was sent to Kingfisher Airlines.

"The notice has been issued to IndiGo under these rules as it is operating lesser number of flights than what they agreed to in the Winter Schedule," DGCA chief E K Bharat Bhushan said.

Under the Aircraft Rules, an airline has to obtain DGCA's concurrence before discontinuing a flight or starting a new route at least a week before taking such a step.

The DGCA also asked IndiGo what steps it has taken so far to take care of the passengers booked in the flights cancelled in terms of returning their airfares, accommodating them in their alternative flights or providing them alternative modes of transportation.

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When contacted, an IndiGo spokesperson said the airline "has not cancelled a single flight".

Vijay Mallya owned Kingfisher Airline has cancelled 120 flights over the last four days due to a financial crisis. And caught in the downward spiral are passengers who complain that they are given virtually no notice about the cancellations.

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(With PTI inputs)
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