IndiGo flights resume normalcy after pilot shortage; Rs 750 crore refunds processed

New Delhi: IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers on Tuesday stated that the airline’s operations have stabilised following several days of widespread flight disruptions that stranded passengers at major airports across India. The disruptions were caused by an acute shortage of pilots under the new flight duty limitation norms.

How has IndiGo’s network recovered?

Elbers claimed in a statement on X that “IndiGo is back on its feet,” adding that efforts to restore the network are progressing on a “war footing.” He said the airline is now operating more than 1,800 flights a day, covering its full network of 138 destinations. “As of December 9, our operations are fully stabilised,” the CEO remarked.

Elbers also noted that IndiGo has “started to focus internally on what led to the issue,” indicating that the airline is conducting a deeper review of its processes and resource planning.

What action has the DGCA taken?

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered IndiGo to reduce its daily flight schedule by 5 per cent. It has also directed the airline to share its revised schedule by 5 pm on December 10.

The DGCA order stated: “IndiGo has not demonstrated the ability to operate its schedules efficiently.” It further noted that while 64,346 flights were approved for IndiGo in November, the airline flew only 59,438 flights, cancelling 951 flights.

What did the Civil Aviation minister say?

Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that IndiGo’s operations are stabilising, and all other airlines are functioning smoothly across the country.

He said, “Airports across the country are reporting normal conditions, with no crowding or distress.”

The minister added that DGCA has issued show-cause notices to IndiGo's senior leadership and begun a detailed enforcement investigation. “No airline, however large, will be permitted to cause such hardship to passengers through planning failures, non-compliance," he assured the House.

Naidu emphasised that the revised pilot and crew rostering rules were non-negotiable.

How are passengers being supported?

“Refunds for flights cancelled between December 5 to 15, baggage tracing and passenger support measures remain under the supervision of the Ministry of Civil Aviation,” the minister said. He explained that as part of the crisis measures, “IndiGo was ordered to issue refunds promptly, and as informed by them, more than ₹750 crore has already reached the passengers.”

The minister added that IndiGo has assured full compliance with flight duty norms and confirmed its preparedness for the winter schedule, underlining that safety in civil aviation is completely non-negotiable.