IndiGo Vacates 717 Slots: Is Poor Pilot Planning Hurting India's Largest Airline?

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has vacated 717 domestic flight slots. This move follows a directive from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to curtail its winter flight schedule. The regulatory action aims to ensure greater operational stability and improve pilot well-being. The vacated slots cover the period from January to March 2026.

Senior aviation expert Subhash Goyal weighed in on the development. He stressed that air safety must remain the top priority. Goyal suggested that IndiGo must recruit more pilots. This would allow for proper crew roster planning. He noted that government requirements must be obeyed and followed. Goyal linked the DGCA’s push for a better crew roster program to the need for sufficient pilot rest. This focus on safety comes after the tragic Air India Flight AI 171 crash in June 2025.

Background to the DGCA Directive

The DGCA imposed a 10 percent cut on IndiGo’s winter flight schedule in early December 2025. This decision followed widespread operational disruptions. The airline cancelled thousands of flights during the first week of December. This caused significant inconvenience for over three lakh passengers.

An official inquiry found the primary cause was over-optimisation of operations. The airline also showed inadequate preparedness for new regulatory changes. Specifically, IndiGo failed to adjust to the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) provisions. These new rules mandate pilots receive 48 hours of rest each week. They also limit night landings to two per week.

IndiGo’s crew rosters were designed to maximize duty periods. This approach compromised roster integrity and operational resilience. The DGCA’s action sought to prevent further instability and ensure better adherence to schedules.

Slot Redistribution and Industry Impact

Airport slots are critical time windows for takeoffs and landings. IndiGo, which typically operates over 2,200 daily flights, submitted a list of the 717 surrendered slots. These freed-up slots are primarily located at major hubs across the country.

The Civil Aviation Ministry is now managing the redistribution of these slots. The goal is to ensure the capacity does not remain unutilized. The Ministry will prioritize airlines that can demonstrate additional capacity. This includes new aircraft, pilots, cabin crew, and maintenance engineers. Airlines cannot simply reshuffle existing flights to claim the new slots. They must show concrete operational preparedness. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation and re-assignment of the slots.

Prioritizing Operational Reliability

This development marks a significant adjustment for India’s domestic aviation sector. IndiGo holds a dominant market share in the country. The DGCA’s enforcement action highlights a strong regulatory focus on passenger experience and safety. The regulator also imposed a total financial penalty exceeding ₹22 crore on IndiGo. This was for non-compliance with the FDTL rules.

IndiGo has committed to complying with the DGCA’s order. The airline is prioritizing reliability and operational stability moving forward. The incident underscores the critical link between crew management, regulatory compliance, and overall flight safety.

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