DGCA fines IndiGo ₹22 crore for Dec flight disruptions; airline says internal review underway

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a total penalty of ₹22.20 crore on IndiGo following major operational disruptions in early December 2025, citing prolonged Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) violations and systemic lapses.

The regulatory action follows widespread cancellations and delays between December 3 and 5, when IndiGo cancelled 2,507 flights and delayed 1,852 others, impacting more than three lakh passengers. DGCA said the disruption stemmed from over-optimisation of operations, inadequate preparedness for revised FDTL norms, and shortcomings in software systems, operational control and management oversight.

The penalty includes ₹20.40 crore for continued non-compliance with revised FDTL norms over 68 days, and a one-time systemic penalty of ₹1.80 crore for multiple regulatory breaches. DGCA also ordered IndiGo to furnish a ₹50 crore bank guarantee to ensure implementation of corrective reforms.

Warnings were issued to the airline’s Chief Executive Officer for inadequate crisis management, the Chief Operating Officer for failure to assess the impact of regulatory changes, and several senior officials in flight operations and crew planning. The Senior Vice President (Operations Control Centre) has been directed to be relieved of current responsibilities.

In response, IndiGo said it has received the DGCA orders relating to the December disruption and that its board and management are committed to taking “full cognisance” of the findings. The airline said appropriate measures will be taken in a “thoughtful and timely manner”.

IndiGo added that an in-depth review of the robustness and resilience of its internal processes has been underway since the disruption, with the aim of emerging stronger from the episode. The airline reiterated its commitment to serving India and supporting the country’s ambition to become a global aviation hub by 2030.