India Orders IndiGo to Cut 10 Percent of Flights Amid Pilot Shortage

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and additional data from industry research.

Government Mandates Major Flight Reductions for IndiGo

On December 9, 2025, Indian aviation regulators issued a directive requiring IndiGo Airlines to significantly reduce its winter flight schedule. While initial reporting by Reuters indicated a mandated cut of 5%, subsequent updates from the Ministry of Civil Aviation escalated this requirement to a 10% reduction later the same day. This intervention aims to stabilize the carrier’s operations following a week of severe disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded.

According to the directive issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the cuts apply to IndiGo’s approved winter schedule of approximately 2,300 daily flights. This translates to the removal of roughly 200 to 220 flights per day. Regulators have instructed the airline to target high-frequency routes, such as Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Bengaluru, to minimize the impact on overall connectivity, while strictly protecting “monopoly routes” where IndiGo is the sole operator.

The reduced schedule is effective immediately. The airline was required to submit a revised plan by December 10, and the restrictions will remain in place until IndiGo can demonstrate sufficient pilot staffing to support a larger schedule reliably.

Root Cause: The FDTL Roster Crisis

The operational collapse is attributed to the airline’s inability to adapt to stricter Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) which were fully implemented on November 1, 2025. These regulations were designed to combat pilot fatigue but have significantly reduced crew availability.

Key regulatory changes cited in industry reports include:

• Mandatory Rest: Pilots now require a 48-hour weekly rest period, increased from the previous 36 hours.
• Night Landing Caps: Pilots are limited to two night landings per roster, down from six.
• Extended Night Definition: The definition of “night duty” has been extended by one hour, now covering 00:00 to 06:00.

Data indicates that these changes effectively reduced pilot availability by 15% to 20%. IndiGo, known for its lean operations and high aircraft utilization, faced a roster collapse as the winter schedule ramped up, leading to over 2,000 flight cancellations in the first week of December alone.

Financial Impact and Market Reaction

The crisis has delivered a sharp blow to the financial results outlook of InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo’s parent company. According to market data, shares fell approximately 17% to 18% during the first week of December.

The revenue impact is substantial. Reports indicate the airline has already processed over ₹827 crore ($98 million) in refunds. Brokerage firm Emkay Global has projected a potential 17% hit to the airline’s FY26 pre-tax profit. Additionally, the notional revenue loss per cancelled flight is estimated at ₹10.3 lakh, with total third-quarter bottom-line erosion potentially exceeding ₹250 crore.

“Internal planning failures and rising costs due to the need for more pilots [have led to cut price targets].”

, Analysis by Bank of America and Goldman Sachs

Competitor Response and Passenger Protections

To mitigate the capacity crunch, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is reallocating slots freed up by IndiGo’s cuts to rival carriers. SpiceJet has deployed two new Boeing 737 aircraft on high-demand routes, while Air India is utilizing wide-body aircraft on domestic metro routes to absorb excess passenger demand.

Regulators have also imposed strict consumer protection measures:

• Fare Caps: A ceiling of ₹15,000 has been placed on flights between 1,000 and 1,500 km (e.g., Delhi-Mumbai) to prevent price gouging.
• Refunds: IndiGo must process automatic refunds and has waived rescheduling fees for travel between December 5 and December 15.
• Baggage: A strict 48-hour deadline was set for delivering stranded baggage to passengers’ homes.

AirPro News Analysis

The severity of this government intervention highlights a critical vulnerability in the low-cost carrier model: the reliance on maximum asset utilization. For years, IndiGo’s brand promise was built on “on-time performance” and reliability. This crisis, driven by a foreseeable regulatory change announced nearly two years ago, suggests a significant lapse in strategic planning.

While the immediate financial hit is quantifiable, the long-term damage to corporate reputation may be more costly. This operational stumble provides a rare opening for the Air India group to regain domestic market share, challenging IndiGo’s long-standing dominance in the Indian aviation sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are flights being cancelled?
Cancellations are due to a shortage of available pilots caused by new fatigue management regulations (FDTL) that require more rest time for crew members.

Am I entitled to a refund?
Yes. The government has ordered automatic refunds for cancellations. Additionally, rescheduling fees have been waived for travel dates between December 5 and December 15.

How long will these cuts last?
The 10% schedule reduction is indefinite. It will remain in effect until IndiGo demonstrates to the DGCA that it has enough pilots to operate a larger schedule without violating safety norms.

Sources:
Reuters,
Ministry of Civil Aviation / DGCA Directives,
Emkay Global Financial Analysis