Govt cuts IndiGo flights by 10% to restore normal operations, speeds up refund process

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu with CEO of IndiGo Pieter Albers

The civil aviation ministry on Tuesday directed IndiGo to cut its flight schedule by 10 per cent, saying the reduction will help the crisis-hit airline stabilise its operations. IndiGo has been facing large-scale disruptions across the country following its transition to the second phase of the new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) norms for pilots. The ministry said the temporary curtailment is aimed at easing the operational strain and restoring normalcy in the airline’s network.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on Tuesday said that the government has ordered a 10% curtailment of IndiGo’s routes, saying the measure is necessary to stabilise operations after a week of severe disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded.

Posting a picture of IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, sitting with folded hands in front of him, Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, in a post on X, said that the airline management was summoned to the ministry to provide an update.

The curtailment is double of what the sector regulator DGCA had ordered on Monday. As part of the winter schedule for 2025-26, the airline has been operating over 2,200 flights per day.

In a statement shared on X, the minister said that IndiGo’s internal mismanagement of crew rosters, flight schedules and inadequate communication had caused widespread inconvenience to passengers across the country. While the inquiry into the disruptions is underway, he said the ministry held another review meeting with IndiGo’s top management to assess progress.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers was summoned again today to provide an update on corrective measures. Elbers confirmed that 100% of refunds for flights affected until December 6 have been processed. The ministry issued strict instructions to expedite pending refunds and complete the handover of delayed baggage at the earliest.

The minister said the 10% reduction in IndiGo’s overall routes is intended to bring stability to the airline’s network and help reduce further cancellations. Despite the curtailment, IndiGo will be required to continue serving all its destinations.

Naidu added that IndiGo has been instructed to comply fully with all ministry directives, including fare caps and passenger convenience measures, without exception.

Starting early this month, IndiGo cancelled thousands of flights, causing severe hardship to lakhs of passengers and leading to chaotic scenes at airports across the country.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the airline has been instructed to comply fully with all directives issued by the ministry, including fare capping and enhanced passenger-convenience measures.

He noted that the disruptions over the past week stemmed from IndiGo’s internal mismanagement of crew rosters, flight schedules and inadequate communication, which collectively left passengers stranded and frustrated.