Argus News - Govt To Curtail IndiGo’s Winter Schedule, Slots To Be Handed To Other Airlines: Minister

New Delhi, Dec 9: Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu has announced that IndiGo’s winter flight schedule will be curtailed and its slots reallocated to other airlines, following days of chaos at airports across the country.

Speaking to Doordarshan, Naidu said, “We will curtail IndiGo’s routes. They are currently operating 2,200 flights. We will definitely curtail them.”

The minister revealed that IndiGo has processed refunds worth Rs 745 crore for 7,30,655 cancelled PNRs between December 1 and December 8. He told the Rajya Sabha that the cancellations stemmed from an “internal crisis” within the airline after new passenger safety norms came into force.

The rules, introduced nearly two years ago, were aimed at tackling pilot fatigue by mandating longer rest periods. Implementation required airlines to recruit more pilots, but IndiGo, which operates 2,200 flights daily, struggled to adjust its crew roster. The shortage led to hundreds of cancellations, disrupting weddings, holidays, and professional commitments.

Naidu stressed that the government is committed to passenger safety and accountability.

“We care for pilots, crew and passengers. We made it clear to all the airlines. Passengers faced a lot of difficulties. We are not taking the situation lightly. We will take strict action. We will set an example for every airline,” he said.


Also read: Govt Launches 24/7 Review of Airport Operations Amid IndiGo Disruptions

A thorough inquiry has been initiated into the matter.

The minister also said India has the potential to host five major airlines, adding that the government wants more players in the aviation sector to reduce dependence on a single operator. The Opposition, however, expressed dissatisfaction with his response in Parliament and staged a walkout.