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New Delhi: Amid the nationwide IndiGo crisis, the Aviation Ministry on Tuesday evening ordered the airline to slash its winter flight schedule by 10 per cent. This directive came just hours after the ministry had announced a 5 per cent cut.
The reduction means IndiGo will now have to operate 216 fewer flights. However, the airline is already functioning with an even lower capacity — around 1,800 to 1,900 flights a day — which translates to at least 500 daily cancellations, causing severe inconvenience to passengers.
Sharing an update on X, Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the ministry had decided to curtail IndiGo’s operations by 10 per cent to reduce cancellations and stabilise the airline. He added that despite the cut, IndiGo would continue to serve all its destinations.
Naidu also revealed that authorities had summoned IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to provide a detailed explanation on the crisis. Over the past few days, passengers have faced massive disruptions due to what officials describe as “internal mismanagement, crew shortages, scheduling lapses, and poor communication.”
India has been witnessing an unprecedented aviation meltdown. IndiGo, known for punctuality and affordable fares — began mass cancellations and unexpected delays, leaving thousands stranded. Passengers missed exams, job interviews, and even weddings, while airline staff appeared clueless about the situation.
The crisis is directly linked to a DGCA duty-time regulation issued last year, to be implemented in two phases — June and November. The new rules significantly changed crew schedules. DGCA increased weekly rest for pilots from 36 to 48 hours and imposed stricter limits on night landings (from six to two) following years of fatigue-related complaints.
While airlines like Air India and SpiceJet complied, IndiGo failed to implement the new norms. Critics argue that the airline avoided hiring additional staff, causing severe roster shortages. According to a BBC report, some pilots claimed the airline prioritised cost-cutting over pilot wellbeing, worsening fatigue issues across the board.
