IndiGo Meltdown Shakes Indian Aviation

Picture Credit: by Inventiva

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is under intense regulatory scrutiny after a wave of flight cancellations triggered one of the worst aviation disruptions the country has seen in years. The Director General of Civil Aviation has issued a show-cause notice to CEO Pieter Elbers, holding him responsible for major lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management that left passengers stranded across the nation.

The crisis, rooted in acute pilot shortages, began early last week and peaked on Friday when the airline canceled more than 1,000 flights. With IndiGo operating approximately 2,200 flights daily and commanding nearly two-thirds of India’s domestic aviation market, the cascading effects were immediate and severe. Chaos erupted at major airports as thousands missed family functions, business engagements, and even weddings. At Mumbai airport, frustrated passengers clashed with staff, causing delays to other carriers.

The airline said it is gradually restoring operations, reaching around 1,650 flights on Sunday with an improved on-time performance of 75%, up sharply from the dismal 30% seen on Saturday. IndiGo expressed confidence that its network would stabilize earlier than initially expected.

Regulators, however, remain unsatisfied, demanding an explanation for why the airline failed to provide reliable operations and adequate passenger facilities. Authorities have asked Elbers to respond within 24 hours, though the airline has requested an extension, citing the complexity of its network and multiple contributing factors.

Picture Credit: by FreePressJournal

The turbulence has spilled over into financial markets as InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo’s parent company, endured its worst week since Elbers took charge, with shares dropping 9%. Still, the stock has significantly outperformed broader indices since his appointment.

To protect consumers from fare spikes, the aviation ministry has imposed price caps on short- and long-haul routes. Indian Railways has also stepped in, adding extra coaches and deploying special trains to help manage the surge in stranded travelers.