NEW DELHI — India’s aviation regulator has directed IndiGo to cut its planned flights by 5 per cent after the airline cancelled at least 2,000 flights last week due to poor pilot roster planning. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) disclosed the order on Dec 9, requiring IndiGo to submit a revised flight schedule by Dec 10. The directive mandates reductions on routes served by rival airlines, while routes where IndiGo holds a monopoly are exempt. The notice did not specify an end date for the flight cuts.
IndiGo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The DGCA had approved 15,014 weekly departures for IndiGo during the winter season, a period of high travel demand in India. However, the airline cancelled 951 flights in November out of 64,346 scheduled for the month. IndiGo shares fell 0.22 per cent to 4,912 rupees (S$71) on Dec 9 and have lost nearly 17.1 per cent of their value since Dec 1.The airline has faced sharp criticism for failing to adequately plan for new pilot rest periods and duty rules that took effect on Nov 1. These shortcomings left planes grounded and disrupted travel plans for tens of thousands of passengers, prompting regulatory intervention and public backlash.