New Delhi: India’s competition regulator, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), is reviewing whether the nation’s largest airline, IndiGo, may have breached competition laws, a senior official confirmed on Friday. The inquiry comes as the carrier faces scrutiny following widespread flight cancellations.
IndiGo, which controls over 65% of the domestic aviation market, cancelled hundreds of flights starting December 2, affecting thousands of passengers. While the situation is now stabilising, the disruptions have drawn attention from multiple regulatory bodies.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is investigating the operational disruptions and has intensified oversight of IndiGo’s flight operations. Meanwhile, CCI is conducting an internal review to determine whether the airline’s dominant market position may have contributed to the situation.
“Various factors are being considered, including the airline’s overall dominance, its control over specific routes, and whether there has been any abuse of this dominant position,” the official said. The CCI’s review is suo motu, meaning it was initiated independently, as no formal complaint has been lodged against IndiGo.
Under Section 4 of the Competition Act, abuse of dominance can be either exploitative—such as excessive pricing—or exclusionary, including denial of market access. Being dominant in itself is not a violation, but abusing that position can breach competition norms.
The official added that the CCI will first examine all available information to determine if there is prima facie evidence of violations. Only if such evidence exists will a full investigation be launched.
Experts point out that the flight disruptions were largely linked to inadequate planning in implementing new flight duty regulations from November 1, though other operational factors may have also contributed.
CCI’s mandate is to prevent anti-competitive practices and ensure fair business conduct. The regulator has the authority to issue cease-and-desist orders and impose penalties to curb unfair practices across sectors.
The review underscores growing regulatory attention on India’s aviation market, especially concerning carriers with significant market share and the implications of their operational decisions on competition and consumer welfare.
