The government has warned strict action against IndiGo after massive nationwide flight disruptions. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu ordered a detailed inquiry, citing crew mismanagement and safety-rule lapses. IndiGo has refunded ₹827 crore and continues restoring services amid intense scrutiny.
The Union government has announced that stringent action will be taken against IndiGo, India’s largest low-cost airline, following the massive disruption of flights across the country. Addressing the Parliament on Monday, Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu stated that the government will “set an example” by ensuring accountability and enforcing aviation norms strictly.
Naidu confirmed that a comprehensive inquiry has already been initiated to determine the exact reasons behind the crisis, which caused hundreds of flight cancellations and left thousands of passengers stranded at airports nationwide.
“We care for pilots, crew, and passengers. This has been made very clear to all airlines,” the Minister told the Rajya Sabha. “IndiGo was supposed to manage its crew and roster efficiently. Passengers faced significant hardship. We are not taking this situation lightly. Strict action will be taken, and this will set an example for every airline. Any non-compliance will invite consequences.”
According to the Ministry, the chaos was largely the result of IndiGo’s “internal crisis” that unfolded after the implementation of revised flight duty time limitations (FDTL), rules designed to enhance flight safety by reducing pilot fatigue. While the government announced these rules nearly two years ago, full enforcement required airlines to expand their pilot workforce to maintain operational stability.
However, IndiGo—operating nearly 2,200 flights daily—reportedly fell short of sufficient trained crew as the new safety norms took effect. Known for its focus on minimising downtime and maintaining high on-time performance, the airline struggled to adapt to the new requirements. The result was a wave of cancellations that rapidly escalated into a national aviation crisis.
To prevent a complete operational collapse, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) temporarily relaxed certain safety norms till February, allowing the airline additional time to stabilise its operations.
The crisis also triggered political backlash, with Opposition members raising concerns about a growing duopolistic trend in India’s civil aviation sector, dominated by IndiGo and Air India. Responding to this, the government reiterated that it has consistently encouraged new companies to enter the sector and that India has the potential to sustain at least five major airlines.
IndiGo Refunds ₹827 Crore, Returns 4,500 Bags as Recovery Efforts Intensify
Under heavy scrutiny, IndiGo on Monday announced significant progress in addressing the fallout from the disruptions. The airline said it has refunded a total of ₹827 crore to affected passengers, while additional refunds for cancellations up to December 15 are under processing.
It also confirmed that over 4,500 delayed or misplaced bags have already been returned to passengers and assured that the remaining baggage will be delivered within the next 36 hours.
IndiGo further stated that it has improved its schedule recovery, operating over 1,800 flights on Monday, an increase from 1,650 flights on Sunday. The airline also claimed a network-wide on-time performance (OTP) of 91 percent, indicating gradual stabilisation.
In its official statement, IndiGo said:
“We have optimised operations and reduced cancellations, with advance notifications being sent to customers. Our teams are assisting over two lakh customers daily across multiple communication channels.”
The airline added that all cancellations in Monday’s schedule had been finalised on Sunday itself to ensure that passengers received timely updates.
“While we progress on the path to full recovery, we remain committed to supporting our customers on a war footing. We regret the disruption and sincerely apologise to all passengers. We also reiterate that all our operations remain fully compliant with FDTL norms and aviation safety regulations,” IndiGo said.
Aviation Sector at a Crossroads
The IndiGo crisis has thrust India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector into the spotlight. With air travel demand surging post-pandemic, experts say the sector must refine its safety norms, crew management practices, and long-term workforce planning.
As the inquiry progresses, the government’s promise of strict action underscores its intent to establish clear accountability and reinforce the importance of safety compliance across all airlines.
| Also Read: Parliament Panel Summons Airline Chiefs Over Massive IndiGo Flight |
For now, IndiGo continues its recovery efforts under heightened government oversight, as passengers across the country wait for full service restoration.
