DGCA cuts IndiGo schedule by 5% after disruptions across India, airline asked to file revised plan

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday ordered IndiGo to reduce its flight schedule by 5% following massive cancellations and delays that have affected passengers across the country since December 1. The cut has been applied across multiple sectors, including high-demand routes.

IndiGo has been directed to submit a revised winter schedule to the regulator by 5 pm on Wednesday.

The action comes a day after Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu told Parliament that the government would scale down IndiGo’s route allocation in the ongoing 2025-26 winter schedule, where the airline had been operating more than 2,200 flights daily.

According to DGCA sources and IndiGo’s submission to the regulator, the disruptions were triggered by:

Crew rostering issues caused by new pilot duty-time and rest norms.

Shortage of operational crew, as IndiGo did not maintain sufficient pilot buffers while expanding its winter schedule.

Technical and weather-related delays, which added pressure during peak travel season.

Airport congestion, particularly at major hubs, causes cascading delays.

The combination of these factors led to widespread cancellations, with thousands of flights impacted and nearly six lakh bookings disrupted nationwide.

Amid intense government pressure, IndiGo said it has refunded ₹827 crore to affected passengers so far, with the remaining refunds for cancellations up to December 15 under process.

“The airline was supposed to manage its crew and roster. Passengers faced a lot of difficulties. We will take strict action and set an example for all airlines,” the Civil Aviation Minister said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. He also confirmed that a detailed inquiry is under way.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)