India’s aviation sector experienced unprecedented disruption during the first week of December 2025 as IndiGo, the nation’s largest carrier, canceled thousands of flights, creating nationwide travel chaos and prompting urgent regulatory response.
The crisis began unfolding on December 2-3 with approximately 150 cancellations across major hubs including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. The situation reached critical levels on December 5 when over 1,000 flights—representing half of IndiGo’s operational capacity—were grounded in what CEO Pieter Elbers described as a necessary ‘reboot’ to realign crew and aircraft.
IndiGo’s initial statement cited a perfect storm of contributing factors: minor technology glitches, winter schedule adjustments, adverse weather conditions, aviation system congestion, and newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations. The airline acknowledged these elements created a ‘negative compounding impact’ that exceeded operational forecasting capabilities.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) intervened decisively, mandating fare stability measures and demanding comprehensive recovery plans. Regulatory scrutiny revealed insufficient staffing to manage disruption-related passenger volumes, prompting requirements for detailed crew recruitment strategies, training programs, and biweekly progress reports.
Industry associations expressed sharp criticism, with the Airline Pilots’ Association of India questioning whether cancellations represented a ‘calculated strategy’ rather than operational necessity. The Federation of Indian Pilots highlighted inadequate roster planning ahead of the November 1 FDTL implementation, which included reduced night landing allowances and extended weekly rest periods.
Government escalation resulted in the Ministry of Civil Aviation establishing a 24/7 control room and initiating high-level inquiry proceedings to determine accountability and prevent future occurrences. Regulatory directives required full refund processing by December 7 and prohibited rescheduling fees for affected passengers through December 15.
Consumer protection measures expanded to include fare capping on alternate routes after reports of predatory pricing by competing carriers. IndiGo implemented extensive passenger support including automated refunds, fee waivers, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, and complimentary airport services.
As operations gradually stabilized, Delhi Airport authorities confirmed services were ‘steadily resuming,’ with full normalization expected between December 10-15. The episode represents one of India’s most significant aviation disruptions, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in crew management, regulatory implementation, and crisis response protocols.