Lok Sabha Question No. 149 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Compliance of Regulations by Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Ms. Mahua Moitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 149

(To be answered on the 29 th January 2026)

## COMPLIANCE OF REGULATIONS BY AIRLINES

## 149. MS. MAHUA MOITRA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the Civil Aviation Minister's acknowledgement of the need for five airlines in the Indian civil aviation sector amounts to a major policy failure;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps proposed by the Government in the short and medium term to address this policy failure;
- (c) the number of airlines that have exited the market or gone bankrupt since

2014 despite growth in passenger traffic along with the reasons therefor; (d) whether the Government is aware that the relaxation of regulations during the recent civil aviation crisis risks entrenching the duopoly in the sector; and (e) if so, the details thereof  along  with  the  measures  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that airlines comply with the regulations at the earliest?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) and (b): The Indian civil aviation sector has demonstrated strong and sustained growth,  supported  by  an  expanding  airport  network,  rising  passenger  traffic  and significant  fleet  orders  placed  by  incumbent  airlines.  This  reflects  the  long-term potential of the market to support additional capacity, including the possibility of multiple large carriers, subject to commercial viability. There are no regulatory entry barriers for new airlines. Any company desirous of commencing airline operations may approach the Ministry of Civil Aviation with its proposed business plan for obtaining  an  initial  No  Objection  Certificate  (NOC),  subject  to  compliance  with applicable regulations.

(c): A total of 13 airlines have exited the market or gone bankrupt since 2014 due to various  reasons  such  as  non-availability  of  aircraft,  financial  issues  and  airlines internal issues etc. Further, Air Asia (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Name changed to AIX Connect Pvt.  Ltd.)  has  merged  with  Air  India  Express  Ltd.,  and  Tata  Sia  Airlines  Ltd. (Vistara) merged into Air India Ltd. (d)  and  (e):  The  DGCA  granted  a  one-time  temporary  exemption  to  M/s  IndiGo (valid  until  10  February  2026)  to  stabilize  operations  amid  large-scale  flight disruptions that stranded passengers, strictly in public interest without compromising safety.  A  four-member  committee  was  constituted  to  investigate  the  disruptions. Subsequently, enforcement action was taken, including a penalty of Rs 22.2 crore and  a  10%  reduction  in  the  approved  flight  network,  with  the  freed-up  flights redistributed to other operators. The DGCA has implemented strengthened measures to ensure strict compliance by airlines with regulations. These include submission of weekly and fortnightly reports on critical operational and manpower parameters, preparation of a Corrective Action Plan  (CAP)  to  maintain  operational  stability  and  comply  with  revised  FDTL provisions,  bi-monthly  inspections  by  the  DGCA's  Principal  Point-of-Contact Inspector to review operations, and continuous monitoring of roster integrity, crew to  FDTL

availability, buffer adequacy, system robustness, and adherence requirements.

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