The Indian aviation landscape is currently dominated by a major operational crisis at IndiGo, which has resulted in an unprecedented number of flight cancellations. Over 500 flights were cancelled on Thursday alone, causing significant inconvenience to passengers nationwide. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA have convened an emergency review meeting to address the escalating situation.
During the high-level discussions, Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu voiced strong concerns and explicitly warned IndiGo against exploiting the situation by increasing airfares. The Minister emphasized that the airline had ample opportunity to prepare for the new FDTL regulations and other operational adjustments. The government is committed to ensuring passenger support and demanding immediate action to stabilize IndiGo’s flight schedule.
IndiGo has informed aviation authorities that operational stability is not expected to return until February 10, 2026, following a planned reduction in flights commencing December 8th. The airline pointed to crew management and the implementation of new duty time rules as key contributing factors. The DGCA is requiring IndiGo to present a thorough recovery plan, encompassing fleet expansion, pilot training, and robust risk mitigation strategies to regain operational efficiency and passenger confidence.