₹22.2 Crore Fine: How Will IndiGo Address DGCA's Flight Chaos Penalty?

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 18, 2026 at 06:27 PM•3 min read

REGULATORY ₹22.2 Crore Fine: How Will IndiGo Address DGCA's Flight Chaos Penalty?

DGCA has levied a ₹22.20 crore penalty on IndiGo Airlines for December flight disruptions, prompting InterGlobe Aviation's Board to commit to addressing the regulator's findings.

Key Points

1DGCA imposed a total penalty of ₹22.20 crore on IndiGo for widespread flight disruptions in December 2025.
2The fine resulted from 2,507 flight cancellations and 1,852 delays, affecting over 300,000 passengers.
3The regulator cited over-optimisation of operations and failure to implement revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms as primary causes.
4IndiGo must also furnish a ₹50 crore bank guarantee to the DGCA to ensure implementation of long-term systemic reforms.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a substantial ₹22.20 crore penalty on IndiGo Airlines. This action follows a comprehensive probe into the IndiGo flight chaos December 2025. The massive operational failure stranded over three lakh passengers nationwide.

In response, the InterGlobe Aviation Board of Directors issued a statement. They confirmed receipt of the DGCA orders. The Board is committed to taking full cognizance of the findings. They plan to take appropriate measures in a thoughtful and timely manner.

The Regulatory Action

The total DGCA fines IndiGo amount is ₹22.20 crore. This sum is one of the largest financial sanctions against an Indian carrier. The penalty is split into two parts.

₹1.80 crore was a one-time penalty for six instances of non-compliance with Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs).
₹20.40 crore was a daily penalty for 68 days of continued non-compliance. This was for lapses in implementing revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.

Beyond the fine, the regulator issued formal warnings to IndiGo’s top management. This included CEO Pieter Elbers and other senior officials. The DGCA also directed the removal of a senior vice president from operational responsibilities.

Root Causes of Disruption

The DGCA’s inquiry committee investigated the December 3-5, 2025, disruption. During this period, 2,507 flights were cancelled and 1,852 flights were delayed. The committee identified several systemic failures.

Over-optimisation of operations: The airline focused excessively on maximizing crew and aircraft utilization.
Inadequate preparedness: IndiGo failed to maintain sufficient operational buffers. This was especially true for the revised FDTL provisions.
Management lapses: The airline showed shortcomings in its management structure and operational control.

These factors severely compromised the airline’s operational resilience during stress. The Indian airline regulatory action highlights the need for robust planning.

Systemic Reforms Mandated

To ensure long-term systemic corrections, the DGCA imposed an additional measure. IndiGo must furnish a ₹50 crore bank guarantee in the DGCA’s favor. This guarantee is tied to the airline’s implementation of reforms.

The guarantee will be released in phases. This requires DGCA-certified compliance across four key areas:

Leadership and governance.
Manpower planning and fatigue-risk management.
Digital systems and operational resilience.
Sustained board-level oversight.

This move demonstrates the regulator’s commitment to airline operational efficiency. The penalty and guarantee serve as a strong message. They emphasize accountability for passenger disruption penalties and systemic failures. The Board of InterGlobe Aviation is now focused on addressing DGCA findings to restore stability.

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