IndiGo says ‘fully cooperating’ with DGCA panel after mass flight cancellations

IndiGo has said it is fully cooperating with a committee set up by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and has provided all information sought, following widespread operational disruptions earlier this month that led to thousands of flight cancellations.

The airline had cancelled a large number of flights between December 3 and 5, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded across the country. The disruptions were attributed to shortcomings in pilot roster planning and inadequate preparation for tighter safety regulations.

In a year-end note, IndiGo acknowledged the impact of the disruptions on passengers and said it had apologised for the inconvenience caused. “The operating environment presented periods of industry-wide challenges this year, including IndiGo’s major operational disruption (December 3–5, 2025), regrettably impacting the airline’s valued customers,” the airline said.

IndiGo said it had since restored its network to normal operations and was focused on strengthening operational processes and resilience. “Meanwhile, IndiGo is fully collaborating and providing requested information to the regulator’s committee,” it added.

The disruptions drew heightened scrutiny from authorities, with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) taking cognisance of complaints related to the cancellations. The regulator said its preliminary assessment warranted further examination under the Competition Act, 2002.

Separately, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) dismissed four flight inspectors responsible for monitoring IndiGo’s safety and operational standards during the period.

Chief executive officer Pieter Elbers said the airline was using the experience to reassess its systems and processes. “As we step into the New Year, there is an opportunity to reflect on the story so far, take stock of the progress made and learn from the operational challenges we encountered,” he said.

IndiGo expects to end calendar year 2025 with more than 123 million passengers, up from 113 million in 2024. Looking ahead, the airline plans to launch non-stop flights to Athens from January 23, 2026, marking the international debut of India’s first Airbus A321XLR and its entry into new medium- to long-haul markets.