New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has released its investigation report into large-scale disruptions faced by IndiGo flights during the first week of December 2025, adopting a stern stance against the airline for serious operational lapses.
According to the regulator, major deficiencies in crew rostering and operational planning led to widespread flight cancellations and delays, severely inconveniencing passengers across the country. Based on these findings, the DGCA has imposed a penalty of ₹22.20 crore on IndiGo and has also directed the airline to furnish a bank guarantee of ₹50 crore until full regulatory compliance is ensured.
The investigation revealed that between December 3 and December 5, 2025, IndiGo cancelled 2,507 flights and delayed 1,852 services, affecting more than 3 lakh passengers nationwide. The disruptions caused significant hardship, particularly during peak travel days.
The DGCA’s inquiry committee found that the airline had adopted an excessively aggressive operational model. In its effort to maximize aircraft utilization and crew deployment, IndiGo failed to maintain adequate operational buffers. The report further stated that the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms were not implemented effectively, increasing the risk of crew fatigue and operational instability.
The aviation regulator underscored that the penalty was not for an isolated lapse but stemmed from repeated and prolonged violations of aviation safety and operational regulations. Of the total fine, ₹1.80 crore has been levied for breaches of various Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs).
An additional ₹20.40 crore penalty has been imposed as a cumulative daily fine for non-compliance with the revised FDTL norms over a period of 68 days. The DGCA has also initiated individual action against senior IndiGo officials responsible for operational oversight.
The regulator emphasized that passenger safety, crew welfare, and service reliability cannot be compromised in pursuit of aggressive scheduling and operational efficiency. It warned that continued non-compliance may invite stricter regulatory action in the future.
