IndiGo Assures DGCA: Will Stable Operations End Flight Cuts After February 10?
Key Points
- 1IndiGo assured the DGCA of zero flight cancellations after February 10, 2026, when temporary FDTL exemptions expire.
- 2The commitment follows severe operational disruptions in December 2025, caused by crew mismanagement and over-optimisation of resources.
- 3The DGCA imposed a ₹22.20 crore fine on the airline and mandated a 10% cut in the winter flight schedule until the deadline.
- 4IndiGo reported having a surplus of both Airbus Commanders and First Officers to meet operational requirements post-February 10.
India's largest carrier, IndiGo, has provided a formal assurance to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding its operational stability. The airline confirmed it expects no flight cancellations after February 10, 2026. This date marks the end of temporary regulatory relaxations granted to the airline. The assurance follows a period of intense regulatory oversight and significant operational challenges.
Background on Disruptions
IndiGo faced severe operational disruptions in early December 2025. These issues led to large-scale flight delays and cancellations across its network. The DGCA's inquiry found the primary cause was mismanagement of flight crew. The airline's planning processes failed to maintain sufficient operational buffers. Crew rosters were designed to operate at the limits of permissible duty periods. This approach compromised roster integrity and operational resilience. The issues were also linked to shortcomings in system software support and internal controls. The disruptions affected hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Regulatory Action and Compliance
The DGCA imposed a significant penalty on IndiGo for the operational meltdown. The fine totaled ₹22.20 crore (approximately $2.45 million). The regulator also issued warnings to senior executives. IndiGo was directed to remove its head of operations control from their duties. Furthermore, the Ministry of Civil Aviation directed IndiGo to cut 10% of its domestic operations. This was a temporary measure to stabilize the system.
Path to Stability
IndiGo has been working to meet the February 10 deadline. The airline was granted temporary exemptions to certain Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. The airline's management met with DGCA officials on January 19, 2026. During this review, IndiGo reported adequate pilot availability.
Key figures shared with the regulator demonstrate this readiness:
- Airbus Commanders: 2,400 available against a requirement of 2,280.
- Airbus First Officers: 2,240 available against a requirement of 2,050.
This improved crew strength supports the airline's approved network. The Airbus A320 family is the backbone of IndiGo's fleet. The airline confirmed it is ready for the removal of the FDTL exemptions. The DGCA confirmed it will continue to closely monitor IndiGo's operations. This oversight will focus on roster integrity and adherence to FDTL requirements. The goal is to ensure resilient and compliant airline operations for the future.
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