IndiGo Crisis: Only 59,438 flights operated out of 64,346, says DGCA; airline to submit revised winter schedule

Civil aviation regulator DGCA has pulled up IndiGo over 951 cancelled flights from the private airline’s approved winter schedule. Citing that IndiGo operated only 59,438 flights out of the 64,346 approved for November, the regulator asked the carrier to submit a revised winter schedule by 5 pm on Wednesday, December 10.

The regulator ordered a 5 per cent cut in the schedule across all sectors, with special focus on high-demand, high-frequency routes.

DGCA also said that out of the 403 approved aircraft, only 339-344 were actually in service during the month.

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According to the regulator, IndiGo failed to meet the approved schedule despite the winter schedule showing only a 6.0 per cent increase over the summer schedule.

IndiGo had 15,014 weekly departures under the winter schedule

DGCA highlighted that IndiGo was permitted 15,014 departures per week, amounting to 64,346 flights in November. It noted that the airline operated only 339 aircraft in October and 344 in November.

IndiGo’s approved winter schedule marked a 9.7 per cent increase over the 2024 winter schedule and 6.1 per cent over its summer schedule. “However, the airline has not demonstrated an ability to operate these schedules efficiently. Therefore, it is directed to reduce the schedule by 5 per cent across sectors, especially on high-demand, high-frequency routes, and to avoid single-flight operations on a sector,” DGCA said.

IndiGo flight fiasco

The central government has warned of strict action against IndiGo after more than 2,000 cancellations this month. The disruptions — triggered by crew shortages linked to stricter pilot-rest rules implemented on November 1 — have impacted thousands of passengers and sparked growing unrest over lost luggage.

On Monday, IndiGo submitted its response to DGCA’s show cause notice, within a deadline extended a day earlier. The airline’s top management cited five factors behind the disruptions:

• Minor technical glitches
• Schedule changes with the start of winter operations
• Adverse weather
• Increased congestion in the aviation system
• Implementation of updated crew-rostering rules (Flight Duty Time Limitation Phase II)

The airline said these factors “coincided in lesser or greater measure”.

DGCA noted that IndiGo was “profusely apologetic” and regretted the inconvenience caused to customers. The airline has promised to share a complete root-cause analysis once ready.

IndiGo shares

IndiGo shares fell as much as 1.7 per cent to Rs 4,842.1 on the BSE on Tuesday, extending a 17 per cent slide over the past seven trading sessions.