IndiGo Faces Sixth Day of Flight Chaos, Government Caps Fares and Demands Immediate Refunds

IndiGo, India's busiest airline, cancelled over 220 flights at Delhi and Mumbai airports on December 7, 2025, marking the sixth consecutive day of significant disruptions for the carrier. This widespread operational meltdown has severely impacted thousands of passengers across the country, according to reports from The Economic Times.

The primary reason for these extensive cancellations is a severe crew shortage, exacerbated by the recent implementation of stricter Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms for pilots. IndiGo reportedly failed to adequately prepare for these new regulations, leading to a roster crisis, as noted by Top News.

In response to the chaos and surging ticket prices, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has capped airfares on domestic routes, ranging from ₹7,500 to ₹18,000 depending on distance. This measure aims to prevent opportunistic pricing by airlines during the crisis, the Ministry announced.

The MoCA also ordered IndiGo to complete all pending passenger refunds by December 7, 2025, by 8 PM, and to set up dedicated support cells. The airline has been instructed to activate an automatic refund system to streamline the process, as mandated by the government.

Thousands of travelers have been left stranded at major airports, facing long queues, repeated rescheduling, and inadequate support. Social media has been flooded with frustrated passengers expressing their anger and distress, as highlighted by The Indian Express.

The ongoing crisis represents one of the largest network-wide service disruptions in IndiGo's history, with over 2,100 flights cancelled across major Indian airports since December 1, according to wikipedia. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers acknowledged December 5 as the most severely impacted day, with over 1,000 cancellations.

• Background Context: New FDTL Norms

  The new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, implemented in phases with the final phase on November 1, 2025, mandate longer pilot rest periods and stricter night-flying limits to combat pilot fatigue. While other airlines adapted, IndiGo's "lean manpower planning" and delayed hiring left it unprepared for these crucial safety regulations, according to the Federation of Indian Pilots.

• IndiGo's Operational Vulnerabilities

  IndiGo's business model, characterized by high aircraft and crew utilization levels and a significant number of night flights, made it particularly vulnerable to the new FDTL norms. Its massive scale, operating over 2,200 daily flights, meant even minor disruptions led to cascading cancellations affecting hundreds of flights, as reported by HT News Desk.

• Regulatory Scrutiny and DGCA Action

  The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, warning of regulatory action for failing to ensure reliable operations. The DGCA had previously granted IndiGo temporary relaxations from certain FDTL clauses to help stabilize operations, as noted by The Indian Express.

• Economic and Social Implications

  The widespread cancellations have caused significant economic disruption, with reports from The Economic Times indicating a surge in private jet bookings as high-budget travelers seek alternatives. The crisis has also highlighted the risks of India's aviation duopoly, where IndiGo and Air India control 86% of the domestic market, leaving few alternatives during major disruptions, according to The Times of India.

• Passenger Rights and Compensation

  Under DGCA guidelines, passengers affected by cancellations due to airline-controlled reasons are entitled to full refunds, alternative travel, and compensation ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, depending on the route and notice period. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has emphasized that IndiGo cannot claim "force majeure" due to its planning failures, as stated by The Indian Express.

• Timeline of Escalation

  The disruptions began around December 1, escalating significantly by December 5, when over 1,000 flights were cancelled nationwide, as reported by The Times of India. The crisis continued into December 7, marking the sixth consecutive day of operational challenges, impacting major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

• Future Outlook and Recovery Efforts

  IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has apologized and stated that the airline expects to return to normal operations between December 10 and 15, with full recovery anticipated by February 10, 2026. The airline is implementing calibrated adjustments to its schedule and strengthening crew planning, according to The Indian Express.

• Government Oversight and Monitoring

  The Ministry of Civil Aviation has affirmed it will closely monitor fare levels through real-time data and coordinate with airlines and online travel platforms, as reported by Business Standard. Any deviation from the prescribed fare caps will trigger immediate corrective action to protect public interest, the Ministry announced.