The operational crisis of the country’s largest airline IndiGo continued for the eighth consecutive day. On Tuesday, about 180 flights had to be canceled from Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports. Earlier, there were large-scale flight cancellations between 3 and 8 December, in which the maximum of 1,600 flights were canceled on 5 December. In view of the increasing complaints and chaos of passengers, DGCA and the government are now preparing to take strict action against the airline.
nonstop flights canceled
The disruption in IndiGo’s operations has been increasing since last week. According to available data-
- 3 December 2025: Around 200 flights cancelled.
- 4 December 2025: Around 550 flights cancelled.
- 5 December 2025: Around 1,600 flights cancelled.
- 6 December 2025: Around 800 flights cancelled.
- 7 December 2025: Around 650 flights cancelled.
- 8 December 2025: 562 flights cancelled.
DGCA’s big action: 5% reduction in schedule
DGCA has ordered IndiGo to reduce its flight schedule by 5% so that flights can operate on time and operations run without interruption. The airline has been asked to submit the new revised schedule by 5 pm on December 10, 2025. DGCA has clarified that now IndiGo will have to operate flights only on high-demand and high-frequency routes and avoid operating additional flights in the same sector.
Schedule extended, but aircraft and crew not ready
According to reports, IndiGo increased flights by 9.66% compared to last year, but the airline could not handle this increased network. DGCA had approved 15,014 weekly departures i.e. a total of 64,346 flights to IndiGo in the winter schedule 2025, but in November the airline could operate only 59,438 flights and 951 flights were cancelled. IndiGo had received permission to operate with 403 aircraft, but the airline had only 339-344 aircraft available, which affected the schedule.
CEO summoned, investigation committee activated
DGCA’s four-member inquiry committee has ordered IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers and other top management to appear on December 10. His reply will be part of the discussion on the show-cause notice sent by DGCA. Officials say that merely imposing fine is not the solution, rather investigation will be done after understanding the real root cause and action will be taken.
Government is also strict, routes will be reduced
Sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) said that as a penalty on IndiGo, 2,200 of its routes will be cut and these routes will be given to other airlines. An official order on this decision can be issued soon.
Why did the problem occur? The government gave the reason
In response to a question asked in the Rajya Sabha, the Minister said that this situation has happened due to shortcomings in the internal operating system of IndiGo, especially the crew rostering system and planning. He said that the changes in the rules were already in effect and the airlines were aware of it. A meeting was also held with IndiGo on this issue on 1st December, but they did not mention any problem. After the review meeting held on Monday night, the Union Minister said that the situation is serious, hence the Ministry and DGCA are continuously monitoring. He has directed all senior officials to visit airports, take direct feedback from passengers and resolve complaints immediately. The minister claimed that after the government’s intervention, there has been some improvement in the situation in the last two days, but passengers are still facing problems.