The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, to reduce its daily flight operations by 10 per cent, following widespread delays, mounting passenger complaints, and persistent disruptions across major airports this week. The move comes as authorities push airlines to prioritise safety and operational reliability during the busy holiday travel period.

The directive, issued on Monday, follows a detailed review of IndiGo’s on-time performance (OTP), staffing levels, aircraft availability, and passenger handling capabilities. Senior officials said the temporary cut aims to stabilise operations and prevent further cascading delays that have affected thousands of fliers nationwide.

Why the government intervened

Over the past several days, passengers flying with IndiGo have reported long queues, last-minute cancellations, luggage delays, and extended wait times on the tarmac. With more than 1,900 daily flights, IndiGo’s schedule has little buffer to absorb operational shocks, officials said.

Aviation Ministry sources added that the 10% reduction is intended to “create breathing room” for the airline to manage crew scheduling, ground operations, and turnaround times more efficiently.

“Airlines must operate within realistic limits. Congestion, staffing issues, or technical constraints should not compromise safety or reliability,” an official said.

Impact on passengers

The ministry has instructed IndiGo to revise schedules in a way that causes minimum inconvenience to passengers. Priority is expected to be given to critical metro routes, high-demand business corridors, and trunk routes connecting major hubs.

Passengers with upcoming bookings have been advised to check the live flight status regularly on the airline’s website or app, and keep push notifications enabled for schedule changes.

IndiGo has said it will accommodate affected passengers on alternative flights or offer refunds as per DGCA norms.

IndiGo’s response

In a statement, IndiGo acknowledged the government’s directive and said it is working to restore normalcy.

“We are taking immediate steps to streamline operations and ensure reliable service for our passengers. We appreciate the guidance from the Ministry and are committed to improving turnaround efficiencies,” the airline said.

IndiGo also pointed to weather-related challenges and air traffic congestion at major airports as contributing factors to the recent disruptions.

What happens next

Officials said the 10% cut will be reviewed after four weeks, depending on improvements in IndiGo’s OTP and passenger experience indicators. DGCA will closely monitor:

• on-time arrival and departure performance
• crew availability and rest compliance
• number of cancellations across sectors
• passenger compensation and grievance redressal
• aircraft utilisation and maintenance schedules

Industry experts say that while the decision may cause temporary inconvenience, it could help IndiGo reset its operations and restore reliability — critical ahead of Christmas, New Year, and the wedding travel season.

Wider implications for the aviation sector

The move signals a firm stance by regulators to prevent over-scheduling and ensure airlines maintain adequate operational bandwidth. With India’s air traffic rising rapidly, the ministry has also asked other carriers to conduct internal audits of manpower, aircraft rotation, and ground support readiness.

The government’s intervention underscores a broader emphasis on passenger rights, safety, and accountability in an increasingly congested aviation landscape.