DGCA Directs IndiGo to Slash Flights Amid Operational Turmoil

In response to IndiGo's inefficiency during the winter schedule, the DGCA has mandated a 5% cut in the airline's flight operations. IndiGo struggled to meet its scheduled departures, prompting the government agency to demand a revised plan by December 10, 2025.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has instructed IndiGo to trim its flight operations by 5% across its routes, following the airline's inability to execute its winter schedule effectively. IndiGo is required to submit a revamped schedule by 5 PM on December 10, 2025.

Initially, IndiGo had approval for 15,014 weekly departures, totaling to 64,346 flights for November 2025 under the Winter Schedule. However, operational data indicated that the airline completed only 59,438 flights, with 951 being canceled during November. The DGCA expressed concern over IndiGo operating just 339 aircraft in October and 344 in November, despite their authorized capacity to use 403 aircraft.

The DGCA's analysis highlighted an inability to efficiently manage increased departures of 9.66% over Winter 2024 and 6.05% above Summer 2025. The DGCA's order explicitly targets high-demand, high-frequency routes, discouraging single-flight operations in certain sectors. On a related note, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is set to address the Lok Sabha regarding the ongoing crisis at IndiGo.

(With inputs from agencies.)