The massive cancellation chaos is forcing IndiGo to radically shrink its schedule. The airline is pulling 400-500 flights daily to finally “stabilize” its network. This comes right after the aviation regulator, the DGCA, formally ordered the airline to slash at least 5% of its flights because IndiGo couldn’t handle the load.
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IndiGo Shrinks Schedule to Stop the Bleeding
IndiGo’s daily operations are getting a serious haircut. The airline used to run around 2,300 flights daily. It will now operate between 1,800 to 1,900 flights. This huge cut is IndiGo’s desperate attempt to ensure that the flights listed on their website actually fly and that passengers can book “with certainty.”
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The Reason: Pilot Shortage and DGCA Action
The crisis is a classic case of split cause-effect. IndiGo increased its winter schedule. And then the new, stricter Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms kicked in.
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The Flaw: IndiGo admitted to the DGCA that the massive disruptions stemmed from “planning gaps and a misjudgment” in estimating crew needs under the new rules. The new rules capped the number of landings allowed per night shift to two, demanding more rest for pilots.
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The Shortfall: IndiGo’s own submission showed they had 65 fewer captains than the 2,422 required to comply with the new fatigue-management rules.
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The Regulator’s Hammer: The DGCA stepped in because IndiGo “failed to demonstrate the ability to operate all its flights,” forcing the airline to immediately slash 5% (around 115 flights). Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu has been firm, stating: “No airline, however large, will be permitted to cause hardship to passengers.”
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Stabilisation Claim and Passenger Impact
CEO Pieter Elbers claimed in a video statement that the airline’s operations are “fully stabilised” with this adjusted, reduced network.
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He says the airline is flying to all 138 destinations again.
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The airline has promised to inform affected passengers about cancellations 72 hours in advance.
This forced pullback will likely calm the airport chaos, but the DGCA is still investigating the airline’s leadership, and further cuts are not ruled out. The long-term challenge for IndiGo is aligning its ambitious expansion plans with its actual crew capacity under the new safety rules.
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