NEW DELHI — In a landmark move for Indian aviation, a specialized four-member inquiry committee has imposed a fine of ₹22.2 crore on IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation). The penalty follows a month-long investigation into the “operational collapse” that saw over 4,500 flights cancelled between December 2 and December 9, 2025, crippling air travel across India.
The committee, led by DGCA Joint Director General Sanjay K. Bramhane, submitted its findings to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, citing “catastrophic failure in planning” and “systemic negligence” regarding new pilot rest rules.
1. Why was IndiGo Fined?
The probe identified three primary reasons for the unprecedented network-wide disruption:
- FDTL Non-Compliance: The airline failed to adequately prepare for the second phase of the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which increased mandatory pilot rest from 36 to 48 hours.
- Crew Rostering Lapses: Despite a two-year preparatory window, IndiGo’s internal roster system failed to account for a shortage of approximately 65 captains, leading to a cascading failure as pilots exceeded their duty hours simultaneously.
- Winter Schedule Overreach: The committee noted that IndiGo aggressively expanded its winter schedule in October 2025 without having the requisite “buffer crew” to manage the new duty norms.
2. Breakdown of the Penalty & Orders
The ₹22.2 crore fine is one of the highest ever imposed on an Indian airline for operational lapses.
| Item | Action Taken / Status |
| Financial Penalty | ₹22.2 Crore (payable within 30 days) |
| Flight Curtailment | Domestic winter schedule reduced by 10% through Feb 2026. |
| Refund Mandate | Order to clear over ₹800 crore in pending passenger refunds. |
| Accountability | Show-cause notices issued to CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras. |
3. The “TrumpRx” Context & Airfare Regulation
The disruption caused airfares on major routes (like Kolkata–Mumbai) to skyrocket, with some one-way tickets hitting ₹90,000.
- Government Intervention: Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu stated the fine serves as an “example” for the industry.
- Passenger Compensation: Beyond the fine, IndiGo has been ordered to provide two travel vouchers of ₹5,000 each to every passenger whose flight was cancelled during the peak “meltdown” period (Dec 3–5).