**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to an Unstarred Question in Lok Sabha regarding the disruptions of IndiGo flights in December 2025, which caused hardship to passengers. The response details the reasons for the mass cancellations, the total number of flights cancelled, the actions taken by the DGCA, and IndiGo’s compliance with DGCA instructions. IndiGo expects to maintain operational stability after February 10, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Reasons for Flight Disruptions (December 2025):**
* Over-optimisation of operations.
* Inadequate regulatory preparedness.
* Deficiencies in system software support.
* Shortcomings in management structure and operational control by IndiGo.
* Adverse weather-related issues.
* **Flight Cancellations (December 2025):**
* A total of 6890 flights were cancelled.
* **Actions Taken by DGCA (3rd-5th December 2025):**
* Issued cautions and warnings to IndiGo’s senior management for deficiencies in oversight, planning, and implementation of revised FDTL norms.
* Directed removal of the concerned SVP from operational responsibilities.
* Instructed IndiGo to take further action and submit a compliance report.
* Imposed a one-time financial penalty of Rs. 22,20,00,000 on IndiGo for non-compliance with directions under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
* Directed IndiGo to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs. 50 crore in favour of DGCA to ensure compliance with directives and long-term systemic corrective measures.
* **IndiGo's Assurance to DGCA:**
* IndiGo has assured DGCA that it will have sufficient pilots and crew to meet operational requirements without exemptions after February 10, 2026.
* IndiGo expects to maintain operational stability and avoid further cancellations once temporary relaxations expire.
**Impact Analysis**
**IndiGo Airlines**
* **Impact:** Faces financial penalties, heightened regulatory scrutiny, and operational restrictions, requiring implementation of corrective measures.
* **Action Required:** Address identified deficiencies, comply with DGCA directives, provide the required bank guarantee, and ensure sufficient staffing by February 10, 2026.
**Passengers**
* **Impact:** Experienced hardships due to flight cancellations and disruptions in December 2025.
* **Action Required:** Monitor the situation and expect improved operational stability from IndiGo after February 10, 2026.
**Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)**
* **Impact:** Bears the responsibility of ensuring airline compliance with regulations and addressing operational disruptions to protect passenger interests.
* **Action Required:** Monitor IndiGo's compliance, enforce penalties, and verify the implementation of corrective measures.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulator that took action against IndiGo Airlines.
IndiGo Airlines: The airline whose flight schedules were disrupted.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The Ministry responsible for the subject of the question.
Aircraft Rules, 1937: Rules under which IndiGo Airlines was penalized for noncompliance
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 107
th
(To be answered on the 29 January 2026)
DISRUPTIONS OF SCHEDULES OF INDIGO FLIGHTS
107. SHRI S VENKATESAN
SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) the reasons for the mass cancellations and disruptions of schedules of
IndiGo Airlines flights causing hardships to passengers in December 2025;
(b) the total number of flights cancelled/rescheduled during this period;
(c) the action taken by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in this
regard; and
(d) whether the airline has complied with the instructions of the DGCA regarding
staff requirements, rest periods and other operational norms and if so, the present
status thereof?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a): The primary causes for the disruption of schedules of IndiGo Airlines during
December, 2025, were over-optimisation of operations, inadequate regulatory
preparedness along with deficiencies in system software support and shortcomings
in management structure and operational control on the part of M/s Indigo.Additionally, during December 2025, flights were cancelled due to adverse weather-
related issues by all airlines.
(b) A total of 6890 flights were cancelled during December 2025.
(c) to (d): Due to the large-scale delays and cancelations reported by M/s Indigo
between 3rd and 5th December 2025, stringent actions have been taken against
IndiGo. Details are as follows:
i. DGCA has issued cautions and warnings to senior management of M/s IndiGo for
deficiencies in oversight, planning and implementation of revised FDTL norms,
directed removal of the concerned SVP from operational responsibilities, and
instructed the airline to take further action and submit a compliance report. ii. A one-
time financial penalty of Rs. 22,20,00,000 (Rupees Twenty-Two Crore Twenty Lakh
only) imposed on M/s IndiGo Airlines for noncompliance with directions issued
under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. iii. Indigo has further been directed to
furnish a bank guarantee of Rs. 50 crore in favour of DGCA to ensure compliance
with directives and long-term systemic corrective measures.
IndiGo has formally assured DGCA that it will have sufficient pilots and crew to
meet operational requirements without exemptions after February 10, 2026. It
expects to maintain operational stability and avoid further cancellations once
temporary relaxations expire
*****