Government Orders Probe Into IndiGo Disruptions; DGCA Implements Emergency Measures to Restore Normalcy

The Government of India has initiated a comprehensive investigation into the large-scale delays and cancellations reported by IndiGo Airlines in December 2025. A four-member committee has been constituted to examine the circumstances that triggered the disruptions, according to an official statement. The committee, led by a Joint Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has been directed to submit its findings within fifteen days.

The decision came after Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu held a high-level review meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), DGCA, Airports Authority of India (AAI) and IndiGo’s top management. During the meeting, the Minister instructed IndiGo to urgently normalize operations and ensure that passengers face minimal inconvenience. He also emphasized that all protocols related to passenger facilitation must be adhered to without exception.

Following IndiGo’s submission outlining the severe strain on its operations during the winter and peak marriage season, DGCA granted a temporary exemption from specific Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms to help the airline stabilize its flight schedules. The exemption, valid until February 10, 2026, has been provided purely to support operational recovery and does not imply any dilution of safety standards. DGCA will reassess the situation every fifteen days while reviewing IndiGo’s staffing and scheduling improvements.

To further ease manpower pressure, DGCA has introduced additional relaxations allowing IndiGo pilots deployed elsewhere or serving as Designated Examiners to count their refresher and standardization checks as active flying duties during this period. Currently, twelve Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) from IndiGo are on deputation with DGCA, and these officers have been temporarily released to undertake flying duties for one week, as all are A320 type-rated and fully licensed. Another group of twelve FOIs with valid ratings has also been permitted to support IndiGo’s simulator and flight operations for a week to strengthen its workforce.

DGCA has deployed its teams to IndiGo’s operational control centers to monitor real-time flight status, including delays, cancellations and passenger assistance measures. Regional DGCA offices across major airports are also keeping a close watch on ongoing operations to ensure compliance with directives and to prevent any escalation of disruption.

Meanwhile, the newly formed four-member committee will conduct a detailed assessment of the factors leading to the operational breakdown. The inquiry will also examine accountability for the lapses and review the adequacy of IndiGo’s corrective actions.

The Ministry reiterated that while temporary relaxations have been granted to stabilize operations, passenger safety remains paramount, and all measures will be closely monitored to maintain strict safety compliance.