Monopolies, Crony Capitalism, And Turbulence: How Indian Airlines Are Soaring In Profits, Crashing In Ethics, And Hijacking Passenger Rights

Introducing You To A Flight High on Greed, And Low On Safety
If you thought booking a flight in India meant paying for convenience, safety, and world-class service, think again. The Indian aviation industry is fast becoming a monopoly-driven, consumer-exploiting, safety-neglecting circus that is pushing passengers to the brink of frustration.
With IndiGo virtually controlling the airspace, airlines like SpiceJet overbooking flights, and absurd service failures becoming the norm, passengers are not only paying hefty fares but also suffering indignities that would make cattle transport look comfortable. And let’s not even talk about safety—because clearly, Indian airlines don’t care about that.
As per reports, not a single Indian airline made it to the world’s safest Top 10 airlines list. But instead of fixing their failures, the aviation barons are too busy price-gouging customers, stifling competition, and laughing all the way to the bank.
The Great Indian Air Monopoly: Why One Airline Rules the Skies
Welcome to IndiGo’s fiefdom—where customer service is optional, prices are absurd, and competition is squashed before it can even take off.
- IndiGo’s Market Domination: With nearly 60% of India’s domestic market under its control, IndiGo has managed to create a near-monopoly.
- Pricing Strategies That Defy Logic: Ticket prices skyrocket during peak seasons, yet services remain below par.
- Killing Competition: Smaller airlines struggle to survive, leading to an absence of healthy competition.
Monopolies are dangerous, and IndiGo’s dominance ensures that no one can challenge its questionable practices. For passengers, this means higher prices, worse services, and no alternatives.
Hefty Charges, Zero Accountability: The Public Pays, the Airlines Profit
Airlines in India have perfected the art of squeezing passengers dry while simultaneously delivering mediocre services at best, and outright nightmare experiences at worst.
- Extra Fees for Everything: Have luggage? That’s extra. Want a decent seat? That’s extra. Need basic customer service? Good luck.
- IndiGo’s ₹6000 Bribe Scandal: Reports of IndiGo’s corrupt practices demanding bribes for better seats show how deep the rot has set in.
- Overbooking Chaos: SpiceJet’s overbooking fiasco left passengers stranded, symbolizing the dark side of the aviation industry.
Passengers aren’t just paying more—they are being fleeced with hidden charges, unethical policies, and last-minute inconveniences.
Customer Service? More Like Customer Torture
Flying with Indian airlines is a test of patience, resilience, and sheer willpower.
- IndiGo’s Declining Customer Service: Flight delays, lost baggage, and robotic apologies—welcome to IndiGo’s service freefall.
- Passengers Held Hostage: From pilots refusing to fly to passengers stuck inside aircraft for hours with no information, the treatment meted out to travelers is borderline inhumane.
- Cockroaches on Flights: Yes, you read that right. IndiGo passengers were treated to unwanted in-flight entertainment in the form of cockroaches.
For an industry that charges premium prices, why do passengers feel like they are trapped in a low-budget horror movie?
The Elephant in the Room: Safety is Just a Joke
Now, let’s get to the real scandal: Indian airlines are literally putting lives at risk.
- No Indian Airline Made it to the World’s Safest Airlines List: Not a single one. Let that sink in.
- IndiGo’s Safety Failures: Reports have ranked IndiGo among the worst airlines of 2024, questioning its commitment to passenger safety.
- Why is the DGCA Silent? Regulatory bodies seem content turning a blind eye while passengers continue to suffer.
With such an appalling safety record, why hasn’t the government stepped in? Perhaps because crony capitalism ensures that corporate interests come before public welfare.
The Future of Indian Aviation: Will It Ever Change?
At this rate, Indian aviation is headed towards an industry controlled by a handful of players, charging exorbitant fees while cutting corners on everything that matters.
- Government Inaction: Regulatory bodies must step in to curb monopolies and ensure fair pricing.
- Passenger Rights Movements: Consumers must demand better service, safety, and accountability.
- New Players in the Market: More competition could force existing airlines to shape up or shut down.
Until these changes happen, Indian passengers will continue to suffer the wrath of unchecked monopolies, greedy corporations, and indifferent regulators.
At The End: Welcome to the Wild West of Aviation
Flying in India today is not a luxury, not even a convenience—it’s a gamble. Will you get overcharged? Probably. Will your flight be delayed? Most likely. Will you be treated like cargo instead of a human being? Almost certainly.
The Indian aviation industry is a textbook case of crony capitalism—where a few players dominate, passengers are squeezed dry, and safety is treated as an afterthought.
So, the next time you book a flight, pack extra patience, lower your expectations, and pray you don’t get trapped in yet another airline horror story.