Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday announced that the government has ordered a curtailment of 10% of IndiGo flights amid nationwide disruptions.
In a post on X, Kinjarapu said: “The Ministry considers it necessary to curtail the overall Indigo routes, which will help in stabilising the airline’s operations and lead to reduced cancellations. A curtailment of 10% has been ordered. While abiding with it, Indigo will continue to cover all its destinations as before.”
This is an increase from the 5% cut ordered by DGCA earlier on Tuesday. The 10% curtailment would mean that IndiGo would operate 220–230 flights fewer. IndiGo flies 2,200–2,300 flights daily.
The directive comes despite IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers saying the carrier is back on its feet and operations have stabilised.
What did DGCA say?
The DGCA, in a statement, said: The matter has been examined in the Ministry. In view of the recent abnormal cancellations of IndiGo flights resulting in substantial disruption to air traffic across the country, it has been observed that the airline has not been able to adequately manage its operational resources, including aircraft and pilot crew.
“Accordingly, the approved winter schedule of IndiGo be reviewed and curtailed by a minimum of 10%. The existing show-cause notice may therefore be suitably modified, and a fresh notice may be issued to IndiGo, with the situation to remain under periodic review for further necessary action,” the regulator said.
The regulator stated that the airline has not demonstrated an ability to operate these schedules efficiently (15,014 weekly departures for the winter schedule). “Therefore, it is directed to reduce the schedule by 5% across sectors, especially on high-demand, high-frequency flights, and to avoid single-flight operations on a sector by IndiGo,” the regulator noted. The DGCA has also instructed IndiGo to submit its revised flight plans by 5 PM on Wednesday.
According to the regulator, the decision comes as IndiGo was scheduled to operate 64,346 flights in November; however, it was able to operate only 59,438 flights. A total of 951 flight cancellations were recorded during the week.
Air India is expected to be the biggest beneficiary of IndiGo’s slot cancellations. According to sources, Air India could receive an additional 60–70 flights. Air India has 611 daily departures in the winter schedule.
What did the aviation minister say?
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu told members of parliament on Tuesday that safety in air travel would remain “non-negotiable” and that “no airline will be permitted to cause such hardship to passengers through planning failures and non-compliance with statutory provisions.”
Accountability, the minister said, will be ensured. “DGCA has issued show-cause notices to IndiGo’s senior leadership and commenced a detailed enforcement investigation. Depending on the outcome, strict and appropriate action as empowered under the aircraft rules and Act will be taken,” he said.
IndiGo’s Tuesday flight cancellations have come down to around 400 flights.
Naidu said that IndiGo has been instructed to comply with all the directives of the Ministry, including fare capping and passenger convenience measures without any exception.
On refunds, the minister said Elbers was summoned to the Ministry to provide an update. He confirmed that 100% of the refunds for flights affected till 6th December have been completed.