IndiGo CEO's Folded-Hands Photo Goes Viral, Aviation Minister Explains It Wasn't An Apology To Him But To...

Amid the buzz surrounding IndiGo chief Pieter Elbers' folded-hands gesture during a meeting with the Centre after the airline's operational crisis, Union Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu has clarified

that the moment captured in the now-viral photo was an apology, not just to him, but to the entire country.Speaking to India Today TV, Naidu said, "He folded his hands, he was apologising not only to me but to the people of the country who faced difficulty."The clarification comes after nearly two weeks of widespread disruptions for air travellers, with IndiGo struggling under massive crew shortages that led to hundreds of flight delays and cancellations. Passengers across major airports endured long queues, stranded schedules, and hours-long waits as operations remained crippled.Following the crisis, the Ministry of Civil Aviation summoned Elbers on Tuesday, seeking a detailed assessment of the chaos and demanding urgent corrective measures to stabilise the airline's functioning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aApi0FUVkV8

Also Read: 'Submit Complete Report': DGCA Summons IndiGo CEO, On-Site Assessment Ordered At 11 Airports

Will Government Take Action Against IndiGo CEO?

In an exclusive interview with Times Now, Union Minister Naidu was asked if the government will sack the IndiGo CEO for its worst-ever flight operation crisis. Naidu said if it comes to that, then definitely, they will do it.Elaborating on his response, the Union Minister said, "I will charge them with all the penalties that is there. Definitely, I will look into all of those aspects.""It is not only about these things that have happened. I still sympathise. Like I'm telling you, I'm hurt, deeply hurt with all of this. For the last seven days, I have not slept properly. I've just been sitting in the office doing continuous review meetings. My focus was on the passengers," the Minister said.When asked about criminal liability or a civil action against IndiGo, the Union Minister said, "Criminal liability, whatever is there within the act and rules, everything will be taken, keeping into account the distress that has been faced by the passengers. This I'm not only telling here, I've placed it on the floor of the house also."