DGCA fines IndiGo ₹22.2 crore for December flight disruptions

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has levied a fine of ₹22.2 crore on IndiGo after a probe into December disruptions. The four-member committee examined the period from December 3 to 5 when thousands of flights were canceled and passengers were left stranded at airports. In total, IndiGo canceled 2,507 flights and delayed 1,852, according to the regulator's findings. The company said it would take cognizance of the orders and implement appropriate measures in a thoughtful and timely manner, as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen its operations. The investigation reportedly found that crew were being overstretched during the disruption window, highlighting staffing pressures as a key factor behind the chaos. The DGCA also announced an internal inquiry to identify systemic improvements and ensure corrective steps are in place. IndiGo added that a deep review of its internal processes has begun, with the aim of emerging stronger from the episode and continuing to serve India as the country pursues its goal of becoming a global aviation major by 2030. The decision underscores regulators’ willingness to hold major carriers accountable for reliability during peak travel periods and could influence how airlines manage schedules, crew, and ground handling in the months ahead. Observers say the penalty signals a clear message: robustness in planning and operations is non-negotiable if India is to build a resilient aviation sector that can support millions of travelers each year.

#IndiGo #DGCA #FlightCancellations