By Admin 
In the case of large-scale flight cancellations and delays across the country in December 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken the strictest action so far against IndiGo Airlines. After investigation, DGCA has imposed a total fine of Rs 22.20 crore on IndiGo, warned top officials and ordered to deposit a bank guarantee of Rs 50 crore. Besides, strict instructions have been given for compensation to the passengers and improvement in the entire operational system of the company.
According to the DGCA report, between December 3 and 5, 2025, 2,507 IndiGo flights were canceled and 1,852 flights were delayed, leaving more than three lakh passengers stranded at different airports. The four-member investigation committee, formed on the instructions of the Civil Aviation Ministry, conducted a thorough investigation of the network planning, crew roster, software system and management structure.
What has come to light in the investigation?
The investigation revealed that IndiGo did not properly implement the new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) rules. Crew rosters were constructed in such a way that there was insufficient rest time, recovery margins were kept too low, and aircraft and staff were overutilized. This exhausted the operational buffer and even a small glitch could lead to massive flight cancellations and delays.
The committee also found that excessive emphasis was placed on increasing profits and optimizing resources, which led to weak safety and regulatory preparedness. Due to deficiencies in software and system support, it became difficult to manage the roster and network and timely corrective steps were not taken at the management level.
DGCA has also taken action against top officials of InterGlobe Aviation. The CEO has been given a stern warning for negligence in the entire operation and crisis management. A warning has been issued to the Accountable Manager i.e. COO for not properly assessing the impact of the winter schedule and the revised FDTL rules.
Apart from this, Deputy Head Flight Operations, AVP of Crew Resource Planning and Director Flight Operations have also been warned for lapses in manpower planning, roster management and monitoring.
DGCA has instructed Indigo to submit action taken report.
DGCA has directed IndiGo to take action against other officers whose role came to light in the internal investigation and submit a report. For violation of rules, DGCA has imposed a penalty of Rs 30 lakh per day on IndiGo for 68 days, which comes to a total of Rs 20.40 crore. Apart from this, a lump sum fine of Rs 1.80 crore has also been imposed for system related deficiencies. In this way the total fine is Rs 22.20 crore.
Bank guarantee order of Rs 50 crore
The matter was not limited to just fines. DGCA has ordered IndiGo to deposit a bank guarantee of Rs 50 crore, which will be placed under the ‘IndiGo Systemic Reform Assurance Scheme’. This guarantee will not be released in a phased manner until DGCA certifies that all four reforms such as leadership and governance, crew planning and fatigue management, strengthening of digital systems and board level monitoring have been fully implemented.
Giving relief to passengers, DGCA also said that those whose flights were delayed or canceled by more than three hours between December 3 and 5, will be given a ‘Gesture of Care’ voucher of Rs 10,000 along with refund and compensation as per the rules, which will be valid for 12 months.
Safety and following rules paramount: DGCA
DGCA has clearly said in its statement that safety and adherence to rules are of paramount importance in civil aviation. Crew fatigue, any compromise on roster rules and safety standards in the name of profit or operational pressure will not be tolerated. This action has been taken not just for punishment but to improve the entire system and ensure that such major irregularities do not happen again in the future.