Government Considers Cancelling 5% of Indigo Flights; Other Airlines May Get Opportunity

New Delhi: The Indian government is reportedly considering strict action against Indigo Airlines following widespread flight disruptions. Officials are examining the possibility of cancelling up to 5% of Indigo’s daily flights, which would impact roughly 110 flights per day. This move aims to address passenger inconvenience and ensure smoother operations across the sector.

Flight Cancellations to Benefit Other Airlines

According to sources, the government plans to reallocate the slots of cancelled Indigo flights to other airlines with available capacity. If required, the initial 5% cut could increase further in the coming days.

Indigo has responded to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issuing an apology and citing five main reasons for the flight delays and cancellations:

1. Minor technical glitches in some aircraft.
2. Changes in the winter schedule, which affected operational planning.
3. Adverse weather conditions causing delays.
4. Crowding at airports, both in terms of passengers and aircraft traffic.
5. New Crew Duty Time Limitation (FTDL Phase II) rules, implemented from 1 November 2025, which posed challenges in crew rostering.

DGCA May Reduce Indigo Operations

DGCA now has the authority to reduce Indigo’s flight operations based on crew availability. Any freed-up slots would then be allocated to other airlines according to their capacity. Additionally, Indigo could face hefty penalties, and its senior management, including the COO and accountable officers, may also face action. The company itself may demand resignations or terminate officials deemed responsible.

Investigation Underway

To probe the disruptions, DGCA has set up a four-member committee, led by Joint Director General Sanjay Brahmane, to investigate the root causes of the operational failures. The committee will review manpower planning, flight rostering, and Indigo’s compliance with the new FDTL rules. The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that appropriate action will follow once the investigation concludes.

The government’s firm approach reflects growing public frustration over flight cancellations and delays, signaling a strict regulatory stance to ensure accountability in India’s aviation sector.