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‘Civil Aviation Ministry will strive to stabilise operations’: Top officer reviews situation in Kolkata airport amid IndiGo crisis

On Tuesday, IndiGo flight services at Kolkata airport, with 91 scheduled arrivals and 90 scheduled departures, were unaffected.

3 min readUpdated: Dec 9, 2025 06:59 PM IST

She met passengers, inspected facilities and assured full support to restore normal operations.

The Civil Aviation Ministry deployed Director Tanvi Sundriyal to Kolkata Airport for an on-ground review as IndiGo’s nationwide disruptions entered their eighth day. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Following mass cancellations of IndiGo services in West Bengal and other parts of the country, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday dispatched a senior officer to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, to conduct an on-the-ground review to stabilise passenger services and ensure zero disruptions.

IndiGo flight operations in the country have faced significant disruptions since December 2, due to crew shortages in the wake of the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which stipulate more rest for pilots and rationalisation of their flying duties — particularly late-night operations.

Civil Aviation Director Tanvi Sundriyal interacted directly with affected travellers of Kolkata airport to understand their concerns and assured them of the Ministry’s continuous efforts to stabilise operations and improve the overall travel experience.

She visited key areas, including IndiGo’s helpdesk, airline ticket booking counters, check-in counters, security hold area (SHA), departure gates, and queue management zones.

Sundriyal held a review meeting with senior officers of the Airport Authority of India (AAI), Kolkata Airport, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and airline representatives. They engaged in detailed discussions regarding ongoing actions and additional steps required to streamline flight operations, enhance manpower deployment, and strengthen passenger facilitation measures.

Sundriyal commended the proactive measures already implemented by AAI, CISF, and airlines to assist passengers, such as increased staff deployment, special facilitation counters, real-time passenger updates, and improved coordination among all stakeholders.

She reiterated that the Ministry is actively monitoring the situation and has extended its full support for the swift normalisation of services.

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“AAI Kolkata Airport assures all passengers that every possible effort is being taken, in coordination with MoCA and airlines, to restore normal operations at the earliest and provide efficient assistance across all touchpoints,” said an officer at Kolkata airport.

On Tuesday, flight services at Kolkata airport, where there were 91 scheduled arrivals and 90 scheduled departures, were not affected. Out of 181 flight services, only one flight experienced a delay in departure, according to reports. However, IndiGo cancelled around 180 flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports.

Also Read | ‘IndiGo back on its feet; most of bags stuck at airports delivered’: CEO Peter Elbers

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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