Centre to Cut IndiGo’s Winter Flight Schedule Transfer Slots to Rival Airlines: Aviation Minister

New Delhi: Days after widespread chaos at airports due to mass flight cancellations, Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu has announced that the Centre will reduce IndiGo’s winter flight operations and reallocate its airport slots to other airlines.

Speaking to Doordarshan last night, the minister said:

“We will curtail IndiGo’s routes. They are currently operating 2,200 flights. We will definitely curtail them.”

Passengers stranded across major airports after the Centre decided to reduce IndiGo’s winter flight schedule and reassign its slots to other airlines due to mass cancellations.

The tough stance came hours after Naidu warned in Parliament that exemplary action would be taken against the airline for disruptions faced by thousands of passengers.

Refunds and Internal Crisis

According to the minister, IndiGo has already processed refunds worth ₹745 crore for 7,30,655 cancelled PNRs between December 1 and December 8.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Naidu said the cancellations were caused by an internal crisis within IndiGo, triggered after the enforcement of new pilot fatigue and rest regulations.

“We care for pilots, crew and passengers. IndiGo was responsible for managing its roster and crew deployment. Passengers suffered immensely. We are not taking the matter lightly — strict action will be taken,” Naidu said.

He confirmed that the government has launched a full investigation.

Aviation Sector Needs More Competition, Says Centre

The minister reiterated that India has enough market potential to support five major airlines and said the government wants more players to enter the sector.

Opposition MPs, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the minister’s statement and staged a walkout.

Background of the Crisis

The recent airport turmoil stemmed from delays and cancellations across major cities, leading to ruined travel plans, weddings, business schedules and vacations.

The disruption is linked to new flight safety rules introduced nearly two years ago, which aim to reduce the risk of pilot fatigue — a known contributor to aviation accidents — by mandating longer rest periods. Airlines were expected to hire more pilots to comply.

IndiGo, which operates 2,200 flights a day and has traditionally focused on quick turnaround to maximise aircraft utilisation, reportedly fell short of crew, triggering hundreds of cancellations across the country.

As the crisis mounted, aviation regulator DGCA temporarily eased fatigue norms to help stabilise operations.