Crackdown After Chaos: Centre Slashes IndiGo’s Winter Schedule By 5% (2025)
In a decisive response to the widespread flight disruptions earlier this winter, the Centre has ordered IndiGo to cut its approved winter schedule by 5%. The move comes after massive cancellations and delays triggered chaos across airports, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
Why the Government Stepped In
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found that IndiGo had been unable to operate the number of flights it had received approval for under the Winter 2025 schedule. Despite having permissions to run thousands of flights, the airline reportedly cancelled a significant number due to internal scheduling and operational issues.
Data from the regulator showed a stark mismatch between IndiGo’s approved flight capacity and the number of flights it actually operated. The cancelations surged in November and early December, with shortages in crew availability, aircraft deployment, and compliance with new duty-rest norms contributing to the meltdown.
What the 5% Cut Means
A 5% reduction may seem modest, but for an airline that operates over 2,200 flights a day, the order effectively removes more than a hundred flights from its daily schedule. The DGCA has instructed IndiGo to submit a revised winter schedule and ensure it reflects the airline’s actual operational capability.
The regulator also made it clear that IndiGo must avoid overcommitting on routes and must not operate single flights on any sector if better frequency planning is possible.
What Happens to Passengers
Passengers may experience:
Fewer flight options on certain busy routes
Reduced frequencies on popular sectors
Rebooking opportunities on other airlines, as the freed-up slots will be temporarily given to competing carriers
The decision aims to prevent a repeat of the December chaos by ensuring only realistic, manageable schedules are published.
Impact on IndiGo and the Aviation Market
The move is a setback for IndiGo, which dominates the domestic aviation market. The airline now faces pressure to streamline its operations, improve crew management, and realign capacity planning with actual readiness.
For rival airlines, however, the cut opens a window to increase their own presence on key routes. As IndiGo surrenders slots, competitors may step in to absorb demand and stabilize passenger movement.
A Message From the Regulator
The 5% cut serves as a clear message that airlines must align their approved schedules with operational reliability. The Centre has signaled that passenger convenience, punctuality, and safety take priority over aggressive scheduling.
As the winter travel season progresses, all eyes will be on whether this regulatory intervention helps prevent further disruptions and restores confidence among passengers.
