It has been a turbulent month for IndiGo — with thousands of flights cancelled amidst one of the worst aviation meltdowns seen in the country. Data from the Aviation Ministry indicates that the airline will pay out more than Rs 1396 crore in refunds while incurring several additional costs during the first two weeks of December. Despite the recent upheaval, IndiGo remains the solitary airline in the country that is profitable.
According to an update from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, IndiGo sustained a profit of Rs 72,533 million in FY25. The company had suffered a loss of Rs 3,167.2 million in FY23 before surging to a gain of Rs 81,674.9 million the next year. The company remains one of only three profitable airlines in the previous financial year. Bengaluru-based Star Air raked in a profit of Rs 687.5 million while Ahmedabad-based IndiaOne Air marked a Rs 33.4 million profit.
The details came in response to a question posed to the Lok Sabha on Thursday amid continued upheaval in the aviation sector. Aviation watchdog DGCA also stepped up its scrutiny of the crisis-hit airline on Thursday — with its officials stationing themselves at the IndiGo headquarters to monitor the operations. CEO Pieter Elbers was also grilled by an inquiry panel and asked to reappear on Friday.
Where do other airlines stand?
Data shared by the Aviation Ministry indicates that Air India sustained a loss of Rs 39,757.5 million while Air India Express saw a whopping Rs 58.323.7 million decline in FY25. Akasa Air saw a loss of Rs 19,862.5 million, and Alliance Air declined by Rs 6,911.2 million. SpiceJet also remained in the red with a Rs 556.7 million loss.
IndiGo crisis continues
The airline announced a compensation of Rs 10,000 in the form of travel vouchers to affected passengers on Thursday. IndiGo said it expected to operate 1,950 flights carrying around 3 lakh passengers, while airports reported flight cancellations. Sources told PTI that over 200 flights were cancelled at Delhi and Bangalore airports on Thursday. The civil aviation ministry has also directed the airline, which generally operates around 2,300 flights, to reduce its winter schedule by 10% amid the upheaval.