Govt orders 10% IndiGo flight cut as chaos disrupts travelers
Govt orders 10% IndiGo flight cut as chaos disrupts travelers
Authorities impose a 10% operation cut on IndiGo after days of massive disruptions, aiming to stabilise schedules amid widespread cancellations and a broader debate on aviation regulation.
Delhi — The government has ordered IndiGo to cut its operations by 10% after days of massive disruptions, with more than 2,000 flights cancelled in recent days and travellers facing long delays.
Officials say the move aims to stabilise operations and reduce cascading cancellations as IndiGo works to revise its schedule.
IndiGo says the disruption stemmed from mismanagement of crew rosters and gaps in communications, and it will submit a revised winter schedule soon.
CPI(M) leader A.A. Rahim argued the crisis is not merely an airline problem but a consequence of privatisation and deregulation that have left India's aviation sector in a duopoly, with IndiGo and Air India controlling a large share of flights.
On the pricing front, the government had capped fares at ₹18,000 for routes above 1,500 km, but passengers have still reported steep prices on certain routes, underscoring the volatility in the market.
The government’s intervention comes as travel demand peaks toward the festive season, raising questions about how best to balance consumer protection, airline viability, and national security of essential air connectivity.
Experts say the episode could spur regulatory reforms and a broader debate on how to structure competition in India's aviation sector.
Cover image source: Govt orders 10% operations cut: 5 key updates on IndiGo flight cancellations 🔗
