How Did IndiGo Rank Sixth in Asia-Pacific Punctuality Despite December Chaos?
Key Points
- 1IndiGo ranked 6th among Asia-Pacific airlines in Cirium's 2025 review with a 78.12% on-time arrival rate across over 800,000 flights.
- 2The airline’s strong annual performance was overshadowed by over 5,000 flight cancellations in early December 2025.
- 3The operational meltdown was primarily caused by new DGCA Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules, coupled with staffing gaps and adverse weather.
- 4The incident triggered regulatory scrutiny, including an inquiry by the DGCA and an investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI).
The Indian carrier IndiGo has secured a top-tier spot in the Cirium 2025 On-Time Performance Review. The airline was ranked the sixth most punctual carrier in the Asia-Pacific airlines on-time category. This achievement is notable given the significant operational challenges faced late in the year. The overall IndiGo punctuality ranking was based on a 78.12% on-time arrival rate. This rate was calculated across a massive 802,418 flights, showcasing the scale of its network.
A Year of Operational Resilience
IndiGo’s performance demonstrated strong resilience throughout most of 2025. The airline consistently delivered an on-time performance (OTP) of 80% or higher. This high level was maintained between June and October. The carrier’s operational scale is the largest among the top 10 Asia-Pacific airlines. This makes its punctuality achievement even more significant.
Benchmarking Asia-Pacific Airlines
IndiGo's sixth-place finish put it ahead of other major regional carriers. These included Cathay Pacific, Virgin Australia, and Qantas. Philippine Airlines (PR) claimed the regional title with 83.12% punctuality. Globally, Aeromexico was named the world’s most punctual airline. The Mexican carrier posted a 90.02% OTP for the second year running.
The December Disruption and Regulatory Scrutiny
Despite the strong annual performance, December brought unprecedented operational disruption. The turmoil was largely driven by new DGCA FDTL rules. These flight crew duty regulations took effect on November 1, 2025. The new rules mandated longer rest periods for pilots. They also limited night landings per pilot.
IndiGo’s existing lean staffing model was unable to cope with the new requirements. This led to a severe crew shortage during the busy holiday season. In the first 10 days of December, the IndiGo flight cancellations exceeded 5,000. This disruption affected more than 1.25 million passengers.
In response, the airline temporarily canceled all flights from Delhi. It also sought and received an exemption from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This exemption was valid until February 10. The DGCA, the regulator for Indian commercial aviation, also initiated an inquiry. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is also investigating the network meltdown. This is to assess the potential breach of competition law.
Future of Airline Operational Performance
The December crisis highlights the critical need for network resilience. It shows the challenges of maintaining airline operational performance during regulatory shifts. Industry experts suggest the DGCA’s action was aimed at systemic weaknesses. The regulator had issued repeated advisories to prepare for the FDTL rollout. IndiGo’s overall ranking demonstrates a strong foundation. However, the incident underscores the risk of understaffing in a rapidly growing market. The outcome of the DGCA and CCI inquiries will set a precedent. It will influence future compliance standards across the industry. For more information on industry trends, visit our commercial aviation news at flying.flights.
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