New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu has confirmed that IndiGo’s winter flight schedule will be scaled back, with part of its network redistributed to other airlines in response to the carrier’s recent operational turmoil. The move comes after days of widespread cancellations and delays that affected passengers across the country.
The minister stated that IndiGo currently operates around 2,200 flights a day and that a segment of these services will be curtailed to restore stability in the aviation sector. He said the government’s decision aims to protect passenger interests and ensure smoother operations during the winter travel period. The redeployment of routes to other carriers is part of a broader effort to maintain reliability in the national flight grid.
Providing an update on passenger relief measures, the minister said refunds worth Rs 745 crore have been processed for more than 7.3 lakh cancelled bookings between December 1 and 8. He also noted that baggage recovery efforts are nearing completion. Of the 9,000 pieces of stranded luggage reported during the disruption, 6,000 have already reached passengers, and the rest are expected to be delivered by late Monday or early Tuesday.
The government’s intervention follows significant scrutiny over IndiGo’s handling of staffing shortages and scheduling challenges, which resulted in a sharp spike in cancellations across key metros. The minister emphasised that ensuring passenger convenience and restoring operational order remain the top priorities as assessments continue.
