Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has placed complete responsibility for the aviation chaos on IndiGo after a wave of mass cancellations left the country’s busiest airports in a state of disruption. More than 1,500 flights have been cancelled in the last four days, causing widespread delays, overcrowded terminals, and severe passenger inconvenience nationwide.
Speaking to India Today, Naidu said the government has constituted an investigative committee to determine exactly what triggered the operational collapse and who should be held liable. He said the airline will face strict consequences once the facts are established. The minister described the situation as “surprising and alarming,” noting that IndiGo—long known for industry-leading punctuality—suddenly saw its on-time performance fall to single digits.
The crisis originated from IndiGo’s miscalculation of pilot-workforce requirements under the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations implemented in November 2025. The updated rules mandate longer rest hours and tighter duty limits to reduce pilot fatigue. While other airlines adjusted staffing to comply, IndiGo underestimated the additional manpower needed, triggering cascading cancellations across the network.
The DGCA identified the core problem as a planning failure rather than an unavoidable regulatory shock. The regulator has launched a probe and has given temporary operational relief to stabilise the airline’s schedule. Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Ministry has issued firm directives: IndiGo must complete all passenger refunds for cancelled flights by 8 pm on December 7, 2025, and any deviation will result in immediate punitive action.
To prevent fare exploitation during the disruption, the government has capped airfares. The airline has also been ordered to locate and deliver all stranded baggage within 48 hours directly to passengers' homes or designated addresses, while maintaining continuous tracking updates.
While normalcy is beginning to return, with Delhi Airport reporting that IndiGo’s services are “steadily resuming,” thousands of passengers are still coping with the fallout. Many have been stranded overnight in airports, missed crucial events, or suffered losses due to cancelled flights and misplaced luggage. Complaints continue to surface about inadequate support, delayed information, and a lack of basic amenities.
The government has warned that the outcome of the high-level investigation will set a precedent for the sector, making it clear that no airline can undermine operational obligations without facing serious consequences.
