DGCA cuts IndiGos flight schedule by 5 per cent after widespread disruptions
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday ordered a 5 per cent reduction in IndiGos flight schedule , responding to the large-scale disruptions that have affected the airlines operations since December 1, 2025. According to the aviation safety regulator, the curtailed schedule will apply across multiple sectors, with the most significant trims on high-demand, high-frequency routes. The DGCA has directed IndiGo to submit a revised operational schedule by 5 pm on Wednesday. The move comes a day after the Union Civil Aviation Minister announced that the government would intervene to reduce the number of routes IndiGo is flying under the current winter schedule, citing operational reliability concerns. The DGCA noted that despite approving 15,014 weekly departures for IndiGos Winter 202526 schedule, which commenced in October, the airline has been unable to operate flights as sanctioned. While IndiGo was permitted to operate 403 aircraft per month in the winter schedule, up from 352 aircraft during the Summer 2025 schedule, it managed to operate only 339 aircraft in October and 344 aircraft in November. The regulator also highlighted that while 64,346 flights had been approved for November, IndiGo operated only 59,448 flights, recording 951 cancellations. IndiGo had earlier announced an increase in operations of 6.05% over its Summer 2025 schedule and 9.66% over its Winter 2024 schedule. However, according to the DGCA, the airline has failed to demonstrate the capability to operate this expanded schedule efficiently. IndiGo crisis | When saying sorry is less than adequate In its statement, the DGCA said IndiGo must now reduce its scheduled operations by 5per cent across sectors, particularly high-demand, high-frequency routes, and avoid single-flight operations on any given sector. This regulatory intervention is aimed at stabilising IndiGos network, which currently handles more than 2,200 flights daily, and ensuring smoother operations amid continued disruptions. The move also comes against the backdrop of allegations made last week by the Association of Indian Pilots (ALPA), which accused IndiGo of slot hoarding, a practice whereby airlines reserve excessive take-off and landing slots at airports to prevent competitors from using them.
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