Mumbai: Indigo flight disruptions during early December 2025 have led to stringent regulatory action, following a comprehensive inquiry by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into large-scale delays and cancellations by IndiGo Airlines.
The Indigo flight disruptions, reported between December 3 and 5, 2025, resulted in the cancellation of 2,507 flights and delays to 1,852 flights, impacting over three lakh passengers across multiple airports in India.
Acting on directions from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the DGCA constituted a four-member committee to examine the circumstances that led to the operational breakdown at M/s IndiGo.
The committee undertook a detailed assessment, including stakeholder consultations and an in-depth review of the airline’s network planning, crew rostering practices, management structure, and software systems used for operational control.
Also Read: Air India Flight 171 Lawsuit Claims Defective Honeywell Switch Installed by Boeing Led to Tragedy
Indigo Flight Disruptions: Key Findings of the DGCA Inquiry Committee
The inquiry committee identified over-optimisation of operations as the primary cause behind the Indigo flight disruptions. This was compounded by inadequate regulatory preparedness, deficiencies in system software support, and shortcomings in management structure and operational oversight.
According to the committee, IndiGo’s management failed to identify planning gaps, maintain sufficient operational buffers, and effectively implement the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) provisions. These lapses led to widespread flight delays and large-scale cancellations, significantly inconveniencing passengers.
The inquiry about Indigo flight disruptions further observed that the airline placed excessive emphasis on maximising utilisation of crew, aircraft, and network resources.
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 eroded roster integrity, reduced operational resilience, and heightened vulnerability to disruptions.
In addition to identifying immediate causes, the committee also examined long-term systemic issues and recommended reforms aimed at preventing recurrence of such incidents and safeguarding passenger convenience.
Indigo Flight Disruptions: DGCA Enforcement Actions Against InterGlobe Aviation Officials
The committee’s findings and recommendations regarding Indigo flight disruptions were forwarded to MoCA, following which the DGCA initiated multiple enforcement actions against officials of InterGlobe Aviation Limited.
These included a caution issued to the Chief Executive Officer for inadequate overall oversight of flight operations and crisis management.
The Accountable Manager (Chief Operating Officer) received a warning for failure to assess the impact of the Winter Schedule 2025 and the revised FDTL Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), which contributed to the disruptions.
The Senior Vice President (Operations Control Centre) was warned and directed to be relieved of current operational responsibilities, with instructions not to be assigned any accountable position, due to failures in systemic planning and timely implementation of revised FDTL provisions.
Warnings were also issued to the Deputy Head–Flight Operations, AVP–Crew Resource Planning, and Director–Flight Operations for lapses in operational supervision, manpower planning, and roster management.
IndiGo was further directed to take action against any other personnel identified through its internal inquiry and to submit a compliance report to the DGCA.
Also Read: National Consumer Helpline Resolves Over 67,000 Grievances, Facilitates ₹45 Crore Refunds
Indigo Flight Disruptions: Financial Penalties Imposed for Non-Compliance
In addition to individual actions, the DGCA imposed one-time financial penalties on M/s IndiGo Airlines for non-compliance with directions issued under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
The penalties covered multiple violations of applicable CARs, including failures related to FDTL compliance, operational control, and accountable management oversight.
Each violation attracted a penalty of ₹30,00,000, amounting to one-time systemic penalties of ₹1.80 crore.
Further, for continued non-compliance with the revised FDTL CAR provisions over a period of 68 days—from December 5, 2025, to February 10, 2026 – the DGCA imposed a daily penalty of ₹30,00,000. This resulted in an additional penalty of ₹20.40 crore.
The total penalty imposed on IndiGo for the Indigo flight disruptions stands at ₹22.20 crore.
Bank Guarantee and IndiGo Systemic Reform Assurance Scheme
Beyond financial penalties, IndiGo has been directed to pledge a bank guarantee of ₹50 crore in favour of the DGCA to ensure compliance and long-term systemic correction.
The guarantee forms part of the IndiGo Systemic Reform Assurance Scheme (ISRAS), under which phased release is linked to DGCA-verified implementation of reforms across four pillars.
These pillars include leadership and governance, manpower planning and fatigue-risk management, digital systems and operational resilience, and board-level oversight with sustained compliance.
Release of funds will be contingent upon independent DGCA verification at each stage, with the reform framework spanning a 9- to 15-month period.
Passenger Compensation and Operational Recovery
The DGCA noted that IndiGo restored normal operations within a short period following the disruptions. In addition to timely refunds and compensation as per CAR provisions, the airline, on MoCA’s directions, extended a ‘Gesture of Care’ voucher of ₹10,000 with a 12-month validity to passengers whose flights were cancelled or delayed by more than three hours between December 3 and 5, 2025.
Separately, MoCA has directed an internal inquiry within the DGCA to identify and implement systemic improvements in regulatory processes.
Regulatory Outlook
The DGCA reiterated that safety and regulatory compliance remain paramount. All enforcement actions related to the Indigo flight disruptions are aimed at strengthening systemic resilience, ensuring sustained operational safety in civil aviation, and safeguarding the legitimate interests and well-being of pilots, crew, and other operational personnel.
Statement from InterGlobe Aviation Board
The Chairman and Members of the Board of Directors of InterGlobe Aviation Limited acknowledged receipt of the DGCA orders and stated that the Board and management are committed to taking appropriate measures in a thoughtful and timely manner.
The airline confirmed that an in-depth review of internal processes has been underway since the disruptions, with the objective of strengthening operational robustness while continuing to serve India’s aviation needs.
Indigo Flight Disruptions: One Time Financial Penalty Imposed on M/s Indigo Airlines for Non-Compliance with directions issued under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, attracting penalties under the applicable statutory provisions as per following details:Sl. No. CAR Reference Nature of Non-Compliance Penalty Prescribed 1 CAR 7/J/III (FDTL CAR) Failure to establish and effectively implement a scheme for compliance with limits of Flight Time, Flight Duty Period, Duty Period and Rest Periods; inadequate buffer margins in roster planning ₹30,00,000 2 CAR 7/J/III Failure to strike balance between commercial imperatives and crew members’ ability to work effectively ₹30,00,000 3 CAR 8/O/VII – Part A (General) Non-compliance with instructions outlining responsibilities of operations personnel pertaining to the conduct of flight operations ₹30,00,000 4 CAR 8/O/II – Para 3.1.4 Improper delegation and exercise of operational control responsibilities contrary to approved methods ₹30,00,000 5 CAR 3/C/II – Annexure III, Para 1 Failure of accountable management to ensure overall functioning, financing, and conduct of operations to DGCA standards ₹30,00,000 6 CAR 3/C/II – Annexure III, Para 2.4 Post holders failed to discharge duties with adequate understanding of aviation safety standards, CARs, and operational manuals ₹30,00,000
Indigo Flight Disruptions: In addition for continued non-compliance with the provisions of CAR 7/J/III (Revised FDTL CAR) Para 3.11 and Para 6.1.4) for a period of 68 days, i.e., from 05 December 2025 to 10 February 2026 (both days inclusive).
- Daily Penalty: ₹30,00,000
- Total Days of Non-Compliance: 68 days
- Total Penalty for Continued Non-Compliance:
- 68 × ₹30,00,000 = ₹20,40,00,000/-
- (Rupees Twenty Crore Forty Lakh Only)
| Component | Amount |
| One-time systemic penalties | ₹1.80 crore |
| Continued non-compliance penalty | ₹20.40 crore |
| Total Penalty Imposed | ₹22.20 crore |
(Rupees Twenty-Two Crore Twenty Lakh Only)
