Centre Cuts IndiGo’s Winter Schedule by 5% After Week-Long Flight Chaos Across India

Aviation regulator says the airline overestimated its operational capacity under new fatigue-management rules, triggering mass cancellations and passenger disruptions. Government Moves After Nationwide Airport Turmoil...

Aviation regulator says the airline overestimated its operational capacity under new fatigue-management rules, triggering mass cancellations and passenger disruptions.

Government Moves After Nationwide Airport Turmoil

The Indian government has initiated formal action against IndiGo following days of widespread disruptions that left thousands of travellers stranded across the country. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a 5% cut in the airline’s winter schedule, effectively grounding more than 110 flights a day starting immediately.

IndiGo, India’s largest carrier with around 2,200 daily domestic and international flights, will now see its freed-up slots reassigned to other airlines, the Centre confirmed.

The move comes after a week in which IndiGo struggled to manage operations under newly implemented crew fatigue regulations, prompting hundreds of cancellations and sparking chaos at major airports.

DGCA: IndiGo Expanded Schedule Without Adequate Crew

In its official notice, the DGCA stated that the carrier had failed to demonstrate the capacity to fly the schedule it had sought approval for.

According to the regulator:

IndiGo was approved 15,014 departures per week for the Winter 2025 schedule, amounting to 64,346 flights for November 2025.
However, the airline was able to operate only 59,438 flights, while 951 flights were cancelled during the month.
IndiGo had been permitted a 6% schedule increase compared to the previous season based on an anticipated fleet of 403 aircraft, but it operated far fewer—339 aircraft in October and 344 in November.

The DGCA concluded that IndiGo had increased its departures by nearly 10% over Winter 2024, yet failed to meet its commitments. As a result, the regulator ordered a 5% reduction across all sectors, prioritising high-demand routes and discouraging routes with only a single IndiGo-operated flight to avoid stranding passengers.

Aviation Minister: “We Will Set an Example”

Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu told Parliament that the government would not ignore the scale of disruption passengers faced.

Calling IndiGo’s cancellations an “internal crisis,” he said the airline had failed to adjust to the new fatigue-management rules that expand rest periods for flight crews.

“We care for pilots, crew and passengers,” Naidu said. “If airlines do not comply with safety norms, we will take strict action. This case will set an example.”

He also revealed that the ministry had launched a comprehensive inquiry into IndiGo’s rostering, crew planning, and compliance with safety directives.

However, Opposition members expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response, staging a walkout during the session.

Why the Crisis Happened: Fatigue Rules and Crew Shortages

The turbulence began when updated flight duty time limitations—rules designed to reduce pilot fatigue—came into effect. These safety norms had been announced almost two years earlier, giving airlines time to hire more pilots and restructure schedules.

IndiGo, long known for aggressive turnaround targets and efficient fleet utilisation, was unable to meet crew demand once the new rest requirements kicked in. The resulting shortfall cascaded into widespread cancellations, upended travel plans, and forced the DGCA to temporarily soften the norms to stabilise operations.

Aviation Sector Outlook: More Airlines Needed

The Minister stressed that India’s aviation market is expanding fast and has room for at least five major carriers. The comments reflect concerns that the sector is currently too dependent on a single dominant airline—IndiGo controls more than 60% of the domestic market.

The Centre hopes that increased competition will improve resilience and prevent future disruptions of this scale.

What’s Next for Travellers?

The immediate schedule reduction is expected to reduce last-minute cancellations but may tighten seat availability on certain routes. Passengers with upcoming bookings are advised to check flight status frequently.

The DGCA’s inquiry could lead to additional penalties or operational restrictions if further non-compliance is uncovered.

For now, the regulator says stabilising the network and ensuring crew safety remain top priorities.