IndiGo Ordered To Cut Flights By 10% Amid Ongoing Crisis
Govt Cracks Down After 2,000+ Cancellations; Airline Told To Cap Fares, Ensure Passenger Relief
- Centre directs IndiGo to reduce operations by 10% to stabilise services
- More than 200 daily flights to be cut despite airline’s claim of smooth operations
- Govt orders strict compliance on fare capping, refunds, and passenger support
- DGCA issues showcause notices; investigation underway
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th Dec: IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has been ordered to cut down its operations by 10 per cent as the government moves to stabilise the aviation sector following the massive disruption caused by more than 2,000 flight cancellations in recent days.
The decision marks one of the strongest crackdowns on an airline in recent years. With IndiGo operating around 2,200 flights daily, the mandated reduction will require cancelling over 200 flights per day. The order comes even as the airline claims it has restored normalcy.
In a statement, IndiGo said the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed it to scale back operations temporarily. “The ministry considers it necessary to curtail the overall IndiGo routes, which will help stabilise operations and reduce cancellations. A curtailment of 10 per cent has been ordered. While abiding with it, IndiGo will continue to cover all its destinations as before,” the airline said on X.
The ministry has also instructed the airline to comply with fare capping and all passenger convenience measures without exception. IndiGo added that refunds for 100 per cent of flights affected till December 6 have been processed and that remaining baggage deliveries and reimbursements are being expedited.
Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed the development, reiterating that passenger safety and convenience cannot be compromised. He noted that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued showcause notices to IndiGo’s top management and begun a detailed investigation into the airline’s operational collapse.
The crisis began after IndiGo struggled to transition to stricter flight duty time limitation norms intended to reduce pilot fatigue. The resulting shortage of crew led to widespread cancellations, affecting passengers nationwide and drawing strong criticism from lawmakers and the public.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers had earlier claimed the airline was “back on its feet,” with operations stabilising and passengers returning. However, the government’s intervention suggests that authorities remain unconvinced of the airline’s readiness to return to full-scale operations.
Further action may follow depending on the outcome of the DGCA inquiry.
