The IndiGo flight-cancellation crisis deepens as Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu alleges intentional disruptions and hints at possible sacking of CEO Pieter Elbers, prompting regulatory action and nationwide travel chaos.
Published: December 10, 2025 11:31 AM IST
The IndiGo flight-cancellation crisis that has disrupted air travel in India may not have been an operational glitch of benign intent: so says K. Ram Mohan Naidu, head of the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). In an interview, Naidu suggested that the airline may have “intentionally” cancelled almost 5,000 flights in the course of nine days.
The cancellations, which were implemented on 2 December, have since wreaked havoc at India’s major airports. Thousands of travellers have been left stranded, with the cancellations paralyzing the country’s air-travel network.
Pointing to the unusual volume and timing of the cancellations, Naidu has spoken out. “There seems to be some kind of intentional thing. The way they have been operating… this shouldn’t have happened,” he said in an interview. The aviation regulator DGCA and the MoCA has since ordered a 10% cut in IndiGo’s winter schedule and capacity.
Government strikes back – regulatory clampdown
The first DGCA order had called for a 5% cut, and the increase in the second notice is indicative of the seriousness of the issue.
In addition, Naidu has warned that the airline’s top management may face disciplinary and legal action. As a last resort, he suggested that the airline’s CEO Pieter Elbers, as well as the top management team, could be asked to step down from their positions. “If it comes to that, definitely I will do it,” said Naidu.
IndiGo pushes back: Operations now “stable”
The airline’s top management has moved swiftly to contain the damage. In a video message, CEO Pieter Elbers sought to assuage concerns by saying the airline has now “stabilised” operations and is working hard to uncover root causes of the cancellations. All of these, he said, have been shared with MoCA. Full refunds, delayed baggage deliveries and customer-service remediation are in the process of being implemented.
The internal review is on, and the airline has reiterated its commitment to “learn from its own systems… and put in place additional checks to ensure such a high volume of cancellations do not happen in the future,” Elbers said.
What’s next: accountability, industry fallout
India’s aviation sector has been laid bare for its structural deficiencies and capacity challenges. Some analysts say the scale of the cancellations can irreparably harm IndiGo’s brand, which is built on low-cost fares and reliability.
What is more, the government’s regulatory pushback may portend an interesting trend – that is, greater scrutiny and accountability for major airlines. For IndiGo, the immediate future will depend on how well the airline handles the minister’s allegations, and if top-level accountability is to be enforced.
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