India orders crisis-hit IndiGo to cut flights by 10%
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India’s aviation regulator told IndiGo to cut flights on routes where rival airlines operate and avoid those where the airline holds a monopoly.
PHOTO: AFP
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NEW DELHI - India’s aviation regulator has ordered IndiGo to cut its planned flights by 10 per cent after the airline scrapped at least 2,000 flights last week
The cut, raised from an earlier 5 per cent, was announced by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on X on Dec 9 after a meeting with IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, who cancelled an appearance at an industry event in London to deal with the crisis.
The move will remove at least 220 daily flights from IndiGo’s network, based on the number of services India’s largest airline operated before new pilot rest and duty rules took effect on Nov 1.
“The Ministry considers it necessary to curtail the overall IndiGo routes, which will help in stabilising the airline’s operations and lead to reduced cancellations,” Mr Naidu said on X.
IndiGo cancelled more than 1,000 flights on Dec 5 alone to reboot its network. Mr Elbers said earlier on Dec 9 that operations were “fully stabilised”.
In a notice earlier on Dec 9, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asked IndiGo to submit a revised schedule by Dec 10.
The regulator told IndiGo to cut flights on routes where rival airlines operate and avoid those where the airline holds a monopoly. The notice did not specify an end date for the mandated cuts.
IndiGo did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The DGCA had approved 15,014 IndiGo departures per week for the winter season when travel demand picks up in India. But the airline cancelled 951 flights in November out of the 64,346 flights approved for the month.
IndiGo shares were down 0.22 per cent at 4,912 rupees (S$71) on Dec 9. They have lost nearly 17.1 per cent of their value since Dec 1. REUTERS
