IndiGo Cancels 67 Flights as Winter Fog and DGCA Scrutiny Intensify

December 25, 2025 at 11:01 AM•2 min read

IndiGo cancelled 67 flights due to forecasted winter fog and operational issues, intensifying DGCA regulatory scrutiny following a government-mandated 10% cut to its domestic schedule.

Key Points

1IndiGo cancelled 67 flights, attributing 63 to forecasted winter fog and four to operational issues.
2The DGCA is actively monitoring IndiGo's operations and mandated a 10% reduction in its domestic schedule following earlier mass cancellations.
3The disruptions occur during the DGCA's official winter fog season, which runs from December 10 to February 10.
4A four-member DGCA panel is investigating the airline's operational lapses linked to new pilot rest and duty norms.

Domestic carrier IndiGo cancelled 67 flights on Thursday. The airline cited forecasted bad weather as the main reason. Only four cancellations were due to operational reasons. This latest event adds to the airline's ongoing operational turbulence. It occurs amid intense DGCA regulatory scrutiny. Airports in Agartala, Chandigarh, and Bengaluru were among those affected.

Winter Fog and Regulatory Oversight

The cancellations coincide with the official India winter fog disruptions season. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) designates this period from December 10 to February 10. During this window, low visibility routinely challenges air travel. Airlines must follow strict low-visibility procedures. These rules require specialized pilot training and equipped aircraft.

Aircraft must utilize Category-III landing systems. Category III-B technology allows safe landings with runway visual range under 50 meters. The DGCA mandates preparedness for these harsh conditions.

Fallout from Earlier Disruptions

This new wave of IndiGo flight cancellations follows earlier, massive disruptions. The airline cancelled thousands of flights between December 1 and December 9. The DGCA linked these prior issues to inadequate planning. Specifically, crew shortages complicated the new pilot rest and duty norms. These updated regulations took effect on November 1.

In response, the government ordered a significant capacity reduction. IndiGo's domestic operations were cut by 10%. The airline is now operating a curtailed winter schedule. Its daily domestic flights are capped at about 1,930. This is down from the originally planned 2,144 daily flights.

Ongoing Investigation and Industry Impact

The DGCA has established a four-member inquiry panel. This panel is investigating the root causes of the widespread operational problems. The panel has questioned senior airline leadership. Their findings are expected to be finalized soon.

Passenger inconvenience and compensation remains a major concern.
Widespread delays and cancellations erode passenger confidence.
Such disruptions also impact the broader tourism sector.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stresses the need for robust operational planning. This is especially true during challenging weather seasons. The current situation highlights the fragility of India's high-volume aviation sector. Stakeholders are watching for the DGCA's final report. Corrective actions are expected to follow the probe's conclusions. For more updates on commercial aviation news, visit the flying.flights website.