**IndiGo Fined ₹22.2 Crore by DGCA for December Flight Disruptions**
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has levied a substantial fine of ₹22.2 crore on IndiGo airlines due to significant operational disruptions that occurred in December. This announcement was made by the regulator on Saturday, detailing that the airline would incur a penalty of ₹3 lakh per day for a total of 68 days, spanning from December 5, 2025, to February 10, 2026. Additionally, a one-time systemic penalty of ₹1.80 crore was included, culminating in the total fine.
This penalty marks one of the largest fines imposed by the DGCA on any airline for flight disruptions, with other regulatory actions being unprecedented, according to reports. During the turmoil in December, IndiGo faced the cancellation of 2,507 flights and experienced 1,852 delays.
The crisis began with a single day of cancellations and escalated into a widespread operational failure, lasting over ten days. Passengers took to social media to share images and videos of the chaos, highlighting stranded travelers and scattered luggage across airport terminals. The situation even reached the Parliament, where Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari attributed the disruptions to a “monopoly” in the aviation sector.
In response to the extensive disruptions, the DGCA established a four-member committee led by Joint Director General Sanjay K Brahmane to conduct a thorough review of the events that led to the crisis. The committee submitted its findings to the DGCA on December 27, 2025.
In addition to the fine, the DGCA has mandated that IndiGo provide a ₹50 crore bank guarantee to ensure long-term systemic improvements. The regulator also issued warnings to the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Isidre Porqueras, for failing to adequately assess the impact of the Winter schedule 2025 and the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) orders, which contributed to the disruptions. Furthermore, IndiGo’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, received a caution for insufficient oversight of flight operations and crisis management.
The DGCA has also instructed IndiGo to temporarily relieve its Senior Vice-President in charge of the Operations Control Centre from daily operational duties and has issued warnings to other key personnel involved in flight operations and crew resource planning.
As the airline navigates these challenges, the focus remains on implementing effective measures to prevent future disruptions and enhance operational reliability.
**FAQ**
**What led to the DGCA’s fine on IndiGo?**
IndiGo was fined due to significant flight cancellations and delays in December 2025, resulting in a total of 2,507 canceled flights and 1,852 delays, prompting regulatory action from the DGCA.
