The Union government has mandated IndiGo, India’s dominant low-cost carrier, to slash approximately 10% of its winter flight schedule following a chaotic surge in cancellations and delays that stranded tens of thousands of passengers across key airports in early December 2025.
The civil aviation ministry summoned IndiGo’s CEO after data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) revealed over 900-1,200 cancellations in November alone, escalating to nearly 400 on December 9, driven by crew shortages, stringent new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, weather issues, and airport congestion.
IndiGo has issued apologies via video messages, pledged refunds and rebookings, and reported stabilising operations at 1,800-1,900 daily flights with improving punctuality, while regulators redistribute slots to rivals and passengers demand better compensation amid ongoing disruptions at hubs like Mumbai and Delhi.
Regulatory Clampdown Amid Passenger Fury
The ministry’s decisive intervention came after IndiGo’s on-time performance plummeted below 50% on several days, with over 200 flights axed on December 3 alone and Mumbai airport reporting 2.6 lakh passengers impacted from December 1-8 due to last-minute scrubs.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjaparu announced the 10% cut translating to dozens of daily departures as a “corrective action” to align IndiGo’s ambitious expansion with its actual operational muscle, particularly on thin routes where alternatives are scarce.
DGCA officials emphasised protecting travellers from “avoidable misery,” noting the airline’s growth from post-pandemic demand outpaced crew training and rostering capacity.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, in a public video, expressed regret, attributing woes to “unprecedented” FDTL changes mandated by the Delhi High Court extending pilot rest periods and curbing night flights and promised “network optimisation” with most baggage reunited and refunds processed swiftly.
Passenger voices on social media painted a grim picture: families missing holidays, professionals stranded overnight without clear updates, and fury over airlines charging up to Rs 3,900 for rescheduling fees despite regulatory norms.
Roots of the Winter Meltdown
IndiGo’s troubles trace back to aggressive scaling: aiming for nearly 10% more flights than last winter, the airline absorbed a fleet influx but grappled with pilot attrition, fog-season pressures, and the abrupt FDTL overhaul ordered in late November after court petitions highlighted fatigue risks.
By early December, cancellations hit peaks over 900 in the first eight days flooding airports with irate crowds, inflated alternate fares, and viral complaints of poor communication, with Delhi and Bengaluru runways clogged by delays cascading into the evening.
Historical parallels emerge from 2022’s GoFirst collapse and SpiceJet woes, underscoring how dominance (IndiGo holds 60% market share) amplifies fallout when cracks appear.
Regulators now scrutinise not just IndiGo but peers, warning of slot clawbacks if punctuality dips further, while industry watchers predict short-term fare hikes on metro routes as capacity tightens ahead of peak holiday travel. IndiGo claims 95% of affected bags returned and operations “normalising,” yet live trackers on December 10 showed lingering delays at major hubs.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This saga exposes the fragility beneath India’s aviation boom, where unchecked expansion risks turning skies into a gauntlet of unreliability, eroding trust in an essential service that connects families, economies, and dreams. While the government’s slot cuts enforce accountability, true progress lies in fostering empathy: airlines must humanise crises with proactive alerts, fair compensation beyond token refunds, and investment in staff welfare to avert crew crunches; regulators should prioritise preventive audits over reactive summons. Championing harmony means viewing passengers not as numbers but as people deserving dignity amid disruptions prompting dialogue on sustainable growth that balances profit with public good.
