Guwahati : Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on December 5 criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of making air travel accessible to the masses, arguing that rising fares and widespread flight disruptions have made the aviation sector increasingly unaffordable for ordinary passengers.

“PM Modi promised that even those who can only afford slippers would be able to fly,” Gogoi said. “But the reality today is airports where coffee costs ?200, tickets priced at ?20,000, and flights that are either delayed or cancelled.”

His remarks came amid major travel disruptions after IndiGo, which holds nearly two-thirds of India’s aviation market, cancelled multiple flights across the country on Thursday. The cancellations left hundreds stranded and triggered online backlash, with passengers reporting last-minute notifications, long queues at airports, and limited assistance for alternative travel arrangements.

Many travellers took to social media to express frustration, calling out poor communication from the airline and steep fare hikes on available replacement flights. Disruptions of this scale, passengers said, have become increasingly frequent in recent weeks.

IndiGo has previously cited crew shortages, technical factors and growing air traffic congestion as key reasons behind its operational instability.

Gogoi also took a dig at Air India, remarking that the situation has reached a point where even the state-run carrier appears favourable in comparison. He blamed policy gaps for enabling monopolistic dominance in the aviation sector and urged the government to ensure fair competition and reliable service standards.

“We need competition, not monopolies,” Gogoi said, adding that the government must take responsibility for ensuring safe, affordable and dependable domestic air travel. The cancellations have revived concerns about India’s aviation capacity, pricing structure and crisis-management preparedness-issues likely to intensify debate ahead of peak holiday travel.

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