**IndiGo Faces Accountability Amid Widespread Flight Disruptions in India**
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has placed the blame for the recent turmoil in India’s aviation sector squarely on IndiGo, citing the airline’s responsibility for the significant flight cancellations and disruptions that have affected thousands of passengers. Over the past four days, more than 1,500 IndiGo flights have been cancelled, leading to chaos at airports nationwide.
In an exclusive interview, Naidu expressed his astonishment at the situation, noting that IndiGo, a major player in the industry with a strong track record of on-time performance, has seen its reliability plummet. “It is very surprising. For the last 20 years, they have been operating at the highest OTP (On-Time Performance). Suddenly, you are seeing them drop to below two digits. It is very alarming,” he stated.
The disruptions stemmed from IndiGo’s failure to accurately assess its pilot staffing needs in light of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations that were implemented in November 2025. These regulations require airlines to provide increased rest hours and impose stricter limits on flight hours. Unfortunately, IndiGo did not adequately prepare for the additional staffing requirements, resulting in a cascading operational failure.
Naidu confirmed that a committee has been established to investigate the crisis, aiming to identify the root causes and hold those responsible accountable. “We are taking strict action on this, so that whoever was responsible for this needs to pay for it,” he emphasized.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has identified “misjudgment and gap in planning” as the primary issues leading to IndiGo’s operational collapse. In response, the DGCA has initiated an investigation and granted temporary regulatory relief to help stabilize the situation.
To mitigate the impact on passengers, the Civil Aviation Ministry has mandated that IndiGo complete all refunds for cancelled flights by 8:00 PM on December 7, 2025. The Ministry has warned that any delays or failure to comply will result in immediate regulatory action. Additionally, airfares have been capped to prevent price surges during this period of disruption.
The Ministry’s firm stance indicates that it will pursue stringent financial and punitive measures against IndiGo, setting a precedent that no airline can overlook. As the investigation unfolds, the aviation sector will be closely monitoring the outcomes and implications for future operations.
**FAQ**
**What caused the recent flight cancellations at IndiGo?**
The flight cancellations were primarily due to IndiGo’s miscalculation of pilot staffing needs under new Flight Duty Time Limitation regulations, leading to significant operational disruptions.
