IndiGo Reduces Flights by 10% After Government Directive

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has been mandated to cut its operations by 10% following a significant disruption that led to over 2,000 flight cancellations in recent days. This directive from the government comes despite the airline’s assertion that its services have returned to normal.

Currently operating approximately 2,200 flights daily, the imposed reduction will result in the cancellation of over 200 flights. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu stated on social media platform X that this measure aims to stabilize the airline’s operations and lessen further cancellations. He emphasized that IndiGo is required to adhere to various directives from the Ministry, including fare caps and measures for passenger convenience.

The recent turmoil resulted from internal mismanagement related to crew rosters and flight schedules, which caused considerable inconvenience for passengers. In a tweet, Minister Kinjarapu noted, “During the last week, many passengers faced severe inconvenience due to IndiGo’s internal mismanagement of crew rosters, flight schedules, and inadequate communication.” He confirmed that a meeting with IndiGo’s leadership was convened to discuss stabilization efforts.

In a follow-up meeting, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers was summoned to provide an update on the airline’s recovery. He asserted that the airline has completed 100% of refunds for flights affected until December 6, 2023, and has been instructed to expedite the processing of remaining refunds and baggage retrieval.

Despite these challenges, Elbers indicated that IndiGo’s operations are stabilizing. He claimed the airline is currently operating around 1,800 flights per day and has restored its full network of 138 destinations. He described the company’s recovery efforts as progressing on a “war footing,” assuring that by December 9, operations were fully stabilized.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also mandated a 5% reduction in IndiGo’s daily flight schedule. This directive requires the airline to submit its revised schedule by 17:00 on December 10. The DGCA noted that IndiGo had received approval for 64,346 flights in November but only operated 59,438 flights, leading to 951 cancellations.

In the Lok Sabha, Minister Naidu reassured legislators that IndiGo’s operations are stabilizing while all other airlines are functioning normally. He reported that airports nationwide are experiencing normal conditions, with no significant crowding or distress reported.

The minister also mentioned that DGCA has issued show-cause notices to senior leadership at IndiGo and initiated a thorough enforcement investigation. He emphasized that no airline, regardless of size, would be permitted to cause hardship to passengers due to planning failures or non-compliance.

Minister Naidu confirmed that refunds for flights canceled between December 5 and December 15 and measures for passenger support are under the Ministry’s supervision. Notably, he stated that more than ₹750 crore has already been refunded to affected passengers.

As IndiGo prepares for the winter schedule, Minister Naidu reiterated that compliance with flight duty norms is non-negotiable, underpinning the importance of safety in civil aviation. The airline has assured the Ministry of its commitment to these regulations, aiming to prevent further disruption and restore passenger confidence.