Civil Aviation Ministry Announces 10% Reduction in IndiGo Flights Due to Disruptions, IndiGo CEO Summoned for Update

The Union Minister of Civil Aviation announced that the government has ordered a 10% reduction in IndiGo flights amid nationwide disruptions. The IndiGo CEO was summoned to the Ministry to provide an update.

In a statement, it was said: “During the last week, many passengers faced severe inconvenience due to IndiGo’s internal mismanagement of crew rosters, flight schedules and inadequate communication. While the enquiry and necessary actions are underway, another meeting with IndiGo’s top management was held to review the stabilisation measures.”

It was stated that the IndiGo CEO was summoned to the Ministry for an update on the matter. “He confirmed that 100% of the refunds for flights affected till 6th December have been completed. A strict instruction to expedite the completion of the remaining refunds and baggage handover was given,” the statement said.

Following the meeting, it was announced the government “considers it necessary to curtail the overall IndiGo routes, which will help in stabilizing the airline’s operations and lead to reduced cancellations”.

“A curtailment of 10% has been ordered. While abiding with it, IndiGo will continue to cover all its destinations as before,” the statement continued.

“IndiGo has been instructed to comply with all the directives of the Ministry, including fare capping and passenger convenience measures without any exception,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has deputed senior officers to physically visit major airports to assess the on-ground situation arising from the ongoing operational crisis of IndiGo.

In a statement, they said: “The review covers flight delays or cancellations, congestion levels, queue management, manpower deployment, functioning of airline help desks, baggage clearance, and the status of passenger communication and alternative arrangements.”

“Most assessments have already been completed, with the remaining scheduled over the next 2–3 days. These visits have ensured a comprehensive assessment, and the Ministry is taking necessary steps to stabilise operations and support passengers,” they added.

In a video message, the CEO also said that hundreds of thousands of customers, whose flights were cancelled or delayed, have already received their full refunds, and the process is ongoing on a daily basis.

“IndiGo is back on its feet, and our operations are stable. Hundreds of thousands of customers have received full refunds, and we continue to process them daily. Most of the bags stuck at airports have been delivered to homes. We are addressing every customer need,” he said.

The remarks come after a severe wave of cancellations that continued to rattle air travel, triggering widespread delays and passenger complaints.

More than 400 IndiGo flights were cancelled nationwide, according to airport authorities.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport saw the sharpest impact, reporting 152 cancellations, split evenly between arrivals and departures.

The ripple effect stretched across the south as well: Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport recorded 121 cancellations, while Chennai reported 41 and Hyderabad logged 58.

Other major hubs, including Mumbai (31 cancellations), Ahmedabad (16), and Patna (9), also reported significant disruption. Thiruvananthapuram saw minimal impact, with only four flights cancelled.

Indira Gandhi International Airport

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is the primary international aviation hub of Delhi, India, and one of the busiest airports in South Asia. It was named after former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and officially opened in its current international capacity in 1986, though its origins trace back to a World War II-era airbase. The airport has since undergone major expansions, including the opening of its modern Terminal 3 in 2010 ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

Kempegowda International Airport

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is the primary international airport serving Bangalore, India, which opened in 2008 to replace the city’s older HAL Airport. It is named after Kempegowda, the 16th-century founder of Bangalore. The airport has since become one of the busiest in India and is noted for its modern Terminal 2, known as the “Terminal in a Garden.”

Delhi

Delhi is India’s historic capital, with a layered history spanning over two millennia as a major political and cultural center of successive empires, including the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. Today, it is a bustling modern metropolis that houses significant monuments like the Red Fort and Qutub Minar, which stand as UNESCO World Heritage Sites alongside vibrant contemporary districts.

Bengaluru

Bengaluru, the capital of India’s Karnataka state, is a major tech hub often called the “Silicon Valley of India.” Historically, it was founded in the 16th century by Kempe Gowda I and later became a prominent British colonial military base in the 19th century. Today, it blends its historic landmarks like the Bangalore Palace with its modern identity as a center for innovation and cosmopolitan culture.

Chennai

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, is the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and a major cultural and economic hub on the Coromandel Coast. Founded in 1639 by the British East India Company, its history is deeply tied to colonial trade and administration. The city is renowned for its classical arts, historic landmarks like Fort St. George and Kapaleeshwarar Temple, and as a center for the Tamil film industry.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad is a historic city in southern India, founded in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. It is renowned for landmarks like the Charminar and Golconda Fort, which reflect its rich legacy as the capital of the Qutb Shahi dynasty and later the Nizams of Hyderabad. Today, it is a major technology hub often called “Cyberabad,” blending its regal past with modern innovation.

Mumbai

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is a major port city on India’s west coast and the financial capital of the country. Its modern history began in the 17th century when it was ceded to the British East India Company, transforming from a group of islands into a global trading hub. Today, it is a vibrant metropolis famous for its Bollywood film industry, colonial-era architecture like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and iconic landmarks such as the Gateway of India.

Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad is a historic city in western India, founded in the 15th century by Sultan Ahmed Shah on the banks of the Sabarmati River. It is renowned for its rich architectural heritage, including the intricately carved stepwells and the iconic Jama Masjid mosque, and served as a pivotal center for India’s textile industry and Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent independence movement. In 2017, its walled city area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique medieval urban fabric.