Government to Slash IndiGo’s Winter Schedule, Redistribute Slots After Massive Flight Cancellations

New Delhi: Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday night announced that IndiGo will face a significant reduction in its winter flight schedule this winter, with the freed-up slots to be allocated to rival airlines, in response to the carrier’s week-long disruption that left thousands of passengers stranded.

Speaking to Doordarshan, the minister confirmed: “IndiGo is currently operating around 2,200 flights a day. We will definitely curtail their routes and redistribute those slots to other operators.”

The stern action comes less than 24 hours after Naidu warned of “exemplary punishment” for the airline in Parliament. In the Rajya Sabha on Monday, he blamed the crisis squarely on IndiGo’s “internal mismanagement” after revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) aimed at reducing pilot fatigue came into full effect.

“IndiGo failed to roster adequate crew despite having almost two years to prepare. Passengers suffered immensely – weddings were disrupted, holidays ruined, and critical travel plans destroyed. We are not taking this lightly,” Naidu said, adding that a detailed investigations have already begun.

According to official data shared by the minister, IndiGo cancelled flights carrying 7,30,655 passengers between December 1 and 8 and has so far processed refunds worth ₹745 crore.

As public outrage mounted, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) last week temporarily relaxed the new fatigue rules to help restore operations. However, the minister made it clear that the relaxation is only short-term and the government remains committed to enhanced crew rest norms for safety.

Naidu also used the opportunity to push for greater competition in Indian skies, stating that the country has the capacity to support five full-service and low-cost carriers. Opposition members, dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the crisis, staged a brief walkout from the Upper House.

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