IndiGo flight disruptions: DGCA imposes Rs 22.20 crore fine for December crisis; warns top management

NEW DELHI: Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 22.20 crore on IndiGo airlines for the large-scale flight disruptions in early December 2025 that left over three lakh passengers stranded at airports across the country.The DGCA took the action after a detailed inquiry into the airline’s operations between December 3 and 5 last year, during which 2,507 flights were cancelled and 1,852 flights were delayed. The probe was ordered by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and carried out by a four-member committee constituted by the DGCA.DGCA imposed Rs 1.80 crore in one-time penalties for six instances of non-compliance with Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs), including failure to ensure effective implementation of FDTL norms, improper delegation of operational control, and shortcomings in accountable management.In addition, the airline was fined Rs 20.40 crore for continued non-compliance over 68 days between December 5, 2025 and February 10, 2026, at a daily penalty of Rs 30 lakh.The inquiry panel identified over-optimisation of operations, inadequate regulatory preparedness, and deficiencies in planning software and management oversight as the primary causes of the disruption. It found that IndiGo failed to maintain adequate operational buffers and did not effectively implement revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.

According to the report, the airline adopted an aggressive strategy to maximise aircraft and crew utilisation, resulting in minimal recovery margins, excessive reliance on dead-heading, tail swaps and extended duty periods, which compromised operational resilience.DGCA warns top managementDGCA has also issued caution to IndiGo’s CEO for inadequate oversight and crisis management and the Accountable Manager (COO) has been warned for failing to assess the impact of the Winter Schedule 2025 and revised FDTL norms.The regulator has also warned the senior vice president (Operations Control Centre) and directed that he be relieved of current operational responsibilities, barring him from holding any accountable position. Warnings have further been issued to the deputy head–flight operations, AVP–crew resource planning and director–flight operations for lapses in manpower planning and roster management.IndiGo has been instructed to take action against other personnel identified through its internal inquiry and submit a compliance report to DGCA.Beyond penalty, DGCA has directed IndiGo to furnish a Rs 50 crore bank guarantee under a newly instituted IndiGo Systemic Reform Assurance Scheme (ISRAS). The guarantee will be released in phases based on DGCA-certified implementation of reforms across four areas: leadership and governance, manpower planning and fatigue-risk management, digital systems and operational resilience, and sustained board-level oversight.Passenger relief and DGCA reformsDGCA acknowledged that IndiGo restored operations swiftly and complied with refund and compensation norms. On MoCA’s directions, the airline also issued a Rs 10,000 ‘Gesture of Care’ voucher with a 12-month validity to passengers affected by cancellations or delays exceeding three hours during the disruption period.Separately, DGCA said an internal inquiry has been initiated within the regulator to identify systemic improvements in oversight and preparedness.