Govt Orders 10 percent Cut in IndiGo Winter Schedule After Major Operational Disruptions

Government Imposes 10% Winter Flight Reduction on IndiGo After Severe Disruptions

The civil aviation ministry has mandated a 10% reduction in IndiGo’s winter flight schedule, signalling the strongest regulatory action taken against the carrier after a week of widespread cancellations and delays. This order doubles the earlier 5% cut announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), reflecting mounting concerns over the airline’s operational stability during the peak travel season.

Operational Failures Trigger Official Intervention

Officials noted that IndiGo struggled to comply with the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) introduced on 1 November. Despite increasing its winter schedule by 6%, the airline failed to ensure sufficient crew availability and aircraft deployment. The ministry summoned IndiGo’s top leadership, emphasising that stabilising flight operations and restoring passenger confidence is a seasonal priority.

Flight Reductions, Data Gaps and Reliability Issues

The mandated cut translates to the suspension of over 216 daily flights, based on IndiGo’s summer average of more than 2,200 services. DGCA records show the carrier was cleared for 64,346 domestic flights in November but operated only 59,438, cancelling 951. Aircraft deployment has also lagged: against an expected 403 aircraft, IndiGo could field just 339 in October and 344 in November.

Regulators Tighten Oversight

Following ministry directions, DGCA will issue a revised show-cause notice highlighting IndiGo’s inability to manage its high-frequency sectors and its dependence on single-flight routes. Authorities stressed that network rationalisation is essential to prevent cascading cancellations.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Govt ordered a 10% cut in IndiGo’s winter schedule; DGCA earlier mandated 5%.

• IndiGo logged 951 cancellations in November 2025.

• New FDTL norms from 1 November increased pilot requirement.

• Approved flights for November: 64,346; operated: 59,438.