The Indian government has initiated a formal investigation into the widespread flight disruptions plaguing IndiGo, the country's largest carrier. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated on Friday that the situation "shouldn't be left unattended" and assured that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the operational crisis.
Government Forms Committee, Vows Strict Action
Minister Ram Mohan Naidu confirmed the formation of a committee to investigate the root cause of the massive disruptions. He emphasized that the immediate priority is to restore normalcy and support affected passengers. "We have formed a committee which will inquire into all this so that they can establish where things went wrong and who did it wrong. We are going to take necessary action," the minister declared. He added that the ministry is closely monitoring compliance with Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms and scheduling networks.
Scale of the Disruption: Over 1,000 Flights Axed
The crisis, stemming from pilot rostering problems, led to severe operational chaos. On Friday alone, IndiGo cancelled more than 1,000 flights. The airline, which typically operates around 2,300 daily flights and commands about two-thirds of India's domestic air traffic, saw cancellations ripple across major cities.
On Saturday morning, airports reported significant cancellations:
- Thiruvananthapuram: 6 cancellations (3 arrivals, 3 departures).
- Ahmedabad: 19 cancellations (7 arrivals, 12 departures).
- Mumbai & Chennai: Passengers faced long queues and stranded situations as the airline struggled to stabilize operations.
DGCA Intervenes with Emergency Measures
In response to the crisis, the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), stepped in on Friday. It granted exemptions in FDTL norms and other operational relaxations. This move is designed to allow IndiGo to deploy more pilots and reduce delays, aiming to restore normal operations "at the earliest."
IndiGo's Apology and Passenger Support
IndiGo issued a public apology on social media platform X, outlining comprehensive support measures for impacted travelers. For bookings between December 5 and December 15, 2025, the airline is offering:
- Automatic refunds to the original payment mode.
- Full waiver on cancellation or rescheduling fees.
- Arranged thousands of hotel rooms and surface transport for stranded customers.
- Provision of food and snacks at airports.
- Lounge access for senior citizens where possible.
The airline has also expanded its contact centre capacity and urged passengers to check their flight status online before heading to the airport. "We will do everything to earn back your trust... We can't lose it at any cost," the statement read.
By Saturday, there were signs of slow recovery. Delhi airport noted that IndiGo operations were steadily resuming, advising passengers to verify their flight status before travel. The government's probe and regulatory interventions aim to prevent a recurrence of such large-scale travel chaos.
