DGCA Cracks Down: IndiGo Flights Cut by 5%, More Reductions If Chaos Continues

New Delhi: The direct impact of the major operational crisis that the country's largest airline, IndiGo, is going through these days is now clearly visible at the government level. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered an immediate 5% reduction in IndiGo flights. Out of approximately 2,300 daily flights, 115 flights will be reduced. According to Aviation Ministry sources, depending on the situation, another 5% of canceled flights may also be announced in the next few days. The ministry has made it clear that this action will set an example so that in the future no airline can put passengers in such chaos.

How did the pressure on Indigo increase?

IndiGo had received approval for 14,158 weekly domestic flights in the summer schedule. But in the winter schedule it increased by 6% to 15,014. Meanwhile, the government implemented new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules from November 1, due to which it was necessary to increase the number of pilots. Indigo neither prepared additional staff nor made proper preparations for the increased flight schedule. The result was that the crisis, which began with minor delays in November, culminated in mass flight cancellations in the first week of December.

Why weren't other airlines affected?

• Air India's weekly flights decreased by 0.8%
• Air India Express decreased by 6%
• Akasa Air flights decreased by 5.7%
• SpiceJet flights increased by 26%

That is, other companies prepared the schedule according to their resources, while IndiGo got stuck running more flights than its capacity.

Aviation Ministry also raised questions

Now a big question is arising: how did DGCA allow IndiGo to allow so many routes and additional flights when the staff requirement had already increased due to the new FDTL rules? The government says that “very strict action” will be taken against IndiGo so that such a situation does not happen again.

What is Indigo Cleansing?

The company says that this crisis arose due to the coming together of many reasons.

Indigo gave reasons:

• Minor technical issues
• Delay due to change in winter schedule
• Bad weather
• New FDTL rule affecting crew availability 

According to the company, this situation was sudden and unexpected, and efforts are being made to control it.

What's next?

DGCA is preparing to give those slots to other airlines so that passengers can get options and air travel is not affected. If Indigo does not stabilize soon, action under the rules will be more stringent.