IndiGo Flight Chaos Continues as Government Imposes 10% Reduction in Operations

IndiGo faces strict government action as large-scale cancellations disrupt schedules and affect thousands of passengers nationwide.

The DGCA first directed IndiGo to reduce its schedule by 5 percent. The Ministry of Civil Aviation then increased the reduction to 10 percent after it found that IndiGo could not run its winter schedule properly.

IndiGo now needs to cut flights mainly on high-frequency and high-demand routes. The ministry also instructed the airline to avoid operating any route with just one flight. The 10 percent reduction will remain in place throughout the winter schedule and will continue at least until March 2026. Officials say this move will bring stability to IndiGo’s operations.

Mass Cancellations Trigger the Crackdown

IndiGo cancelled a very high number of flights in recent weeks. Passengers faced disruptions at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and several other cities.

In November 2025, IndiGo planned 64,346 flights but ran only 59,438 flights. The airline cancelled 951 flights. The winter schedule allowed a 6 percent increase in operations, but IndiGo did not deploy enough aircraft. The fleet count remained between 339 and 344 aircraft in October and November. This created an operational gap that affected the airline’s reliability.

Officials say IndiGo failed to operate the approved schedule smoothly and this forced the government to step in.

Minister Says the Decision Will Stabilise Operations

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu says the 10 percent cut will stabilise IndiGo’s network. He says the destinations will remain the same but the number of flights will reduce. He also instructed the airline to follow all guidelines on manpower, fares and passenger convenience. These guidelines include timely refunds, transparent rebooking options and fair pricing. The ministry has already started surprise inspections at major airports to check compliance.

Impact on Daily Operations

IndiGo operated around 2,300 flights each day before the order. After the 10 percent cut, the airline will operate around 1,900 to 2,000 flights daily.

Also Read: Over 350 IndiGo Flights Cancelled Today; Delhi Airport Issues Delay Advisory

Passengers will notice fewer flight options on busy routes. They may also face longer waiting times and limited seat availability. The ministry says IndiGo has started processing refunds for all flights cancelled up to December 6.

Government Plans Strict Monitoring

The Ministry of Civil Aviation will closely watch IndiGo’s performance over the next few weeks. The minister says the government will take stronger action if the airline fails to improve. These actions may include slot changes, penalties or further reductions in operations. He also says he will not hesitate to hold the airline’s leadership accountable if required.

What Passengers Should Expect

Travellers may face reduced flexibility in the short term. They may also find higher demand on certain routes. The ministry advises passengers to check schedules frequently and make bookings early. In the long term, this step aims to improve planning, crew management and operational discipline across the aviation sector.