Aviation Turmoil Sparks Political Firestorm as Shashikant Senthil Blasts Centre Over UDAN Failures
India’s aviation network faced massive disruption as over 600 flights were cancelled in a single day, prompting opposition leader Shashikant Senthil to accuse the Centre of failing its UDAN scheme promises. Senthil said the unprecedented crisis stranded thousands and exposed deeper issues in India’s air travel infrastructure.
Senthil reminded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged to make air travel easier for ordinary citizens under the UDAN initiative. Instead, he argued, travellers across the country are witnessing the opposite: widespread disruption, mounting delays, and a surge in cancellations that have left thousands stranded. “India has just seen the worst aviation crisis in its history,” Senthil said, adding that the magnitude of the breakdown reflects deeper systemic issues.
According to Senthil, the scale of disruption over recent days has been unprecedented. He pointed out that thousands of flights have been cancelled nationwide, with more than 600 scrapped today alone, triggering chaos across major airports. The ripple effects, he said, have been severe, as passengers struggle to reach exam centres, professional commitments, and other essential engagements.
While authorities continue working to stabilize operations, Senthil insisted that the crisis exposes major gaps in planning and oversight. His remarks add to a growing chorus of voices calling for accountability and a clearer explanation from the Centre regarding aviation infrastructure preparedness and the performance of the UDAN scheme—one of the government’s signature transportation initiatives.
As recovery efforts continue, the incident has raised broader questions about the sustainability of India’s rapidly expanding air travel ecosystem. With public frustration mounting and political scrutiny intensifying, the aviation turmoil is likely to remain a national talking point until systemic remedies are identified and implemented.

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