DGCA Data Reveals IndiGo's Near-64% Market Share Before FDTL Chaos

Budget carrier IndiGo commanded a dominant position in the Indian domestic market before a massive operational disruption in early December. Data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) showed the airline held nearly 64% domestic market share in November. This figure was reported just weeks before the carrier faced an unprecedented IndiGo flight chaos event. The crisis was triggered by the airline's failure to adapt to new DGCA Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms.

Market Dominance Before Disruption

IndiGo, the country's largest airline, transported a record number of passengers in November. The DGCA data confirmed its market share was close to 64%. This represented a 2% month-on-month decline, but the airline remained the undisputed leader.

In comparison, the Air India Group held a 26.7% market share. Akasa Air, a newer carrier, secured 4.7% of the market. SpiceJet's market share stood at 3.7%. The country's overall domestic passenger traffic grew to 1.53 crore passengers in November. This growth highlights the soaring demand in the India commercial aviation sector.

IndiGo's operational scale is immense, relying primarily on its large fleet of Airbus A320neo family aircraft. The airline operates over 2,700 daily flights. Its strategy focuses on high utilization and quick turnaround times.

Regulatory Headwinds and Operational Strain

The December disruption was directly linked to the new DGCA Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) regulations. These revised pilot fatigue norms were fully enforced by November 1. The rules were introduced to enhance safety and address pilot fatigue concerns.

Key changes in the FDTL norms include:

• Increased weekly rest periods from 36 hours to 48 hours.
• Extended night hours, now covering 0000 to 0600 hours.
• A stricter limit of only two landings during night operations.

IndiGo's existing airline crew scheduling proved insufficient for the new requirements. The operational strain led to the operational meltdown in early December. The crisis resulted in the cancellation of over 5,000 flights within a seven-day period. This massive disruption stranded thousands of passengers nationwide.

Wider Industry Scrutiny

The scale of the IndiGo flight chaos drew immediate regulatory attention. The DGCA issued a show-cause notice to the airline's CEO. A four-member panel was formed to investigate the circumstances. The panel's confidential report was submitted to the Civil Aviation Ministry.

Furthermore, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) launched a probe. The CCI is investigating whether IndiGo, with its dominant market position, abused its status. The investigation focuses on whether the airline's internal mismanagement led to unfair conditions for consumers.

The crisis highlighted a significant risk in the Indian aviation sector. An over-reliance on a single dominant carrier can lead to systemic disruption. Global bodies like the International Air Transport Association (IATA) emphasize robust regulatory compliance. The DGCA's push for stricter FDTL rules aligns with international best practices for safety. The industry now faces pressure to balance rapid growth with rigorous aviation regulatory compliance. Stakeholders are keenly watching for further developments in this story and other commercial aviation news at [flying.flights].