India’s aviation regulator has implemented a significant corrective measure by ordering a 5% reduction in IndiGo’s daily flight operations. The directive, which translates to a cut of approximately 115 flights out of 2,300 daily services, follows persistent disruptions triggered by the airline’s inability to synchronise crew availability with the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) requirements. These rules came into effect on November 1 and immediately escalated operational pressures across IndiGo’s network.
The decision has intensified scrutiny over both the airline’s internal preparedness and the regulatory approvals that permitted additional winter flights despite impending crew constraints. The DGCA has indicated that a further 5% cut may be considered depending on IndiGo’s ability to stabilise its operational performance in the coming days.
Mismatch Between Crew Readiness and Flight Expansion Sparks Crisis
IndiGo had been operating under an approved summer schedule of 14,158 weekly domestic flights. However, with the onset of the winter schedule on October 26, the airline expanded its daily domestic operations by 6%, raising the total to 15,014 flights. The increase came shortly before the stricter FDTL norms were implemented, requiring more pilots to maintain schedules.
According to officials, IndiGo neither adjusted crew strength adequately nor reduced its operational load in the lead-up to November 1. As a result, November witnessed modest cancellations, but these soon escalated into a system-wide crisis by the first week of December, with hundreds of flights cancelled across the network.
Comparison With Other Carriers Highlights Wider Seasonal Adjustments
While IndiGo faced sharp operational stress, India’s second-largest airline group saw its weekly domestic flights reduce by 3% from 7,685 in summer to 7,448 in winter. Akasa Air also saw a 5.7% reduction in its winter schedule, adjusting from 1,089 to 1,027 weekly domestic flights. In contrast, SpiceJet, which has been gradually ramping up operations, recorded an increase of more than 26%, from 1,240 summer flights to 1,568 in winter.
These shifts highlight the variations in strategic preparedness among carriers facing winter congestion, evolving duty time norms, and seasonal operational pressures.
Regulatory Questions Emerge Over Approval Process
Questions are now being directed toward aviation authorities regarding the decision to approve additional IndiGo flights for the winter season despite looming changes in crew rostering requirements. The FDTL norms—designed to strengthen crew rest and safety regulations—were notified well in advance, raising concerns over whether adequate due diligence was exercised while clearing IndiGo’s expanded schedule.
The new FDTL rules for the airline’s Airbus A320 fleet have now been put on hold until February 10, 2026, allowing IndiGo time to rebuild crew strength and stabilise its operations. Meanwhile, the aviation ministry has stated that exemplary action will be taken against the airline for failing to prevent the widespread cancellations.
IndiGo Attributes Crisis to Multiple Operational Factors
In response, IndiGo has described the disruptions as a result of a “compounding effect of multiple factors,” stating that these circumstances created an “unfortunate and unforeseeable confluence.” The airline cited minor technical issues, winter schedule adjustments, adverse weather, congestion in the aviation system, and the transition to updated FDTL phase II rostering norms as primary contributors.
These explanations, however, have not eased concerns among passengers or regulatory agencies, as cancellations continued to impact connectivity across multiple sectors.
Ongoing Review to Determine Additional Cuts
DGCA’s initial 5% reduction aims to recalibrate IndiGo’s schedule to match realistic crew and aircraft availability. Authorities expect the airline to demonstrate a stable operational pattern before any further expansion is permitted. A second 5% cut remains under consideration and will be triggered if IndiGo is unable to operate reliably at its current reduced capacity.
The regulator has emphasised that connectivity will not be affected on critical routes, as the flight cuts are being executed strategically to maintain stability across the national network.
Airline Accountability and Regulatory Oversight Under Close Watch
The IndiGo flight cancellation crisis has revealed deeper issues in coordination, crew planning, and regulatory supervision during peak operational seasons. With DGCA stepping in decisively, the industry is once again evaluating how operational expansions must be balanced with crew readiness and safety standards. The coming weeks will determine whether the current adjustments are sufficient or if further regulatory intervention is required.
