YSRCP Leader Says Aviation Sector in Crisis Under Naidu

Former minister and YSRCP leader Gudivada Amarnath on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, alleging that the country’s aviation sector has slipped into a deep crisis under his watch.

Speaking at a press meet at the party office in Maddilapalem, Amarnath said the ministry had failed to address issues arising from the new Flight Duty Time Limitations norms. He claimed this led to widespread flight cancellations, affecting lakhs of passengers across the country.

He accused the Minister of failing to intervene in the crisis within IndiGo Airlines and of allowing an “unjustifiable” surge in airfares. The disruption seen in recent days was unprecedented in Indian aviation, he remarked.

Amarnath also referred to the June 12 air crash that killed 232 passengers and nearly 30 medical students on the ground. He alleged that the Minister faced public outrage after recording social media reels at the crash site instead of focusing on crisis management.

He said the ministry owed an apology to citizens who were inconvenienced and claimed the Minister was more occupied with reels at the Bhogapuram Airport site than with pressing problems facing the sector. Even after the tragedy there was no sense of urgency, he said, pointing to the slow progress of the Vijayawada Airport expansion under the Airports Authority of India.