IndiGo Slapped With Rs 22 Crore Fine Over Massive Flight Disruptions In December

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has levied a fine of Rs 22.20 crore on IndiGo for disruptions in December, when the airline had cancelled scores of flights across India, triggering an aviation crisis in the country. The aviation watchdog also released a list of key findings of the committee that inquired into the circumstances leading to flight disruptions.

In a press release, the DGCA stated that the inquiry and the subsequent financial penalty was levied after large-scale delays and cancellations was reported by IndiGo during the period from December 3, 2025, to December 5, 2025, resulting in the cancellation of 2,507 flights and delays of 1,852 flights. The aviation watchdog noted that the disruptions caused inconvenience to over three lakh passengers stranded at various airports.

Key Findings Of Inquiry Committee

 Amidst the aviation crisis, the Ministry of Civil Aviation had directed the DGCA to form a four-member committee to access and review the circumstances leading to the disruptions. The DGCA stated that the inquiry committee conducted a detailed inquiry and took statements of relevant stakeholders and thoroughly studied the network planning, rostering and software being deployed by Indigo for the same.

Here are the key findings of the inquiry committee:

The primary causes for the disruption 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 IndiGo.

The Committee observed that the airline's management failed to adequately identify planning deficiencies, maintain sufficient operational buffer, and effectively implement the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) provisions. These lapses resulted in widespread flight delays and large-scale cancellations, causing inconvenience to passengers.

The committed further noted an overriding focus on maximising utilisation of crew, aircraft, and network resources, which significantly reduced roster buffer margins. Crew rosters were designed to maximise duty periods, with increased reliance on dead-heading, tail swaps, extended duty patterns, and minimal recovery margins. This approach compromised roster integrity and adversely impacted operational resilience. The inquiry also included within its purview long term reform measures addressing systemic issues so that such incidents do not occur in the future and passengers are not put to any inconvenience.

The findings underscored the need for balanced operational planning, robust regulatory preparedness, and effective management oversight to ensure sustainable operations and passenger safety and convenience.

Action Against Interglobe Aviation Officials

The DGCA has also cautioned the CEO for inadequate overall oversight of flight operations and crisis management, and has warning the Accountable Manager (COO) for failure to assess the impact of Winter Schedule 2025 and the revised FDTL CAR that led to widespread disruptions. It has also warned Senior Vice President (OCC) with directions to relieve him of current operational responsibilities and not to assign any accountable position, for failure in systemic planning and timely implementation of revised FDTL provisions.

IndiGo CEO's Apology

Amidst the crisis in December, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers apologised to the public for the aviation crisis and lamented that IndiGo “could not live up to that promise these past days”. The CEO had also stated that the airline's immediate goal is to normalise its operations and bring punctuality back on track in the coming days. 

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