IndiGo faces government scrutiny after flight disruptions
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is under intense government scrutiny due to widespread flight disruptions starting December 2, 2025, caused by poor crew rostering amid new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules rather than technical issues.
The crisis led to over 3,200 flight cancellations in the first week, stranding thousands during peak wedding season, with major impacts at airports like Delhi (134 cancellations on one day) and Bengaluru (117). IndiGo conducted a network “reboot” on December 5, canceling flights to clear backlogs, and issued refunds totaling Rs 827 crore by day 7.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to CEO Pieter Elbers, demanding a response within 24 hours, and granted temporary FDTL exemptions until February 10 while requiring compliance roadmaps. Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu vowed “very strict action” in Rajya Sabha, ordering a 10% cut in IndiGo’s winter schedule (up from 5%) and potential slot reallocations to competitors. A probe panel summoned Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras, with possible board reconstitution under consideration.
IndiGo expects normal operations by December 10-15, but faces ongoing inspections, fare caps to curb surges, and a sector-wide review. The government emphasizes this as a precedent for aviation reliability.
