21-day relaxation scrapped – Strict action guaranteed if operations not fixed immediately
Published on: December 07, 2025
By: BTNI
Location: New Delhi, India
In an unprecedented tough stance, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has slashed the deadline given to InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) from 21 days to just 48 hours to fully restore its operations and clear the massive backlog caused by widespread flight cancellations and technical glitches over the past week.A high-level meeting chaired by Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu this evening took the following stern decisions:
- Immediate Withdrawal of 21-Day Relaxation
The earlier 21-day window granted to IndiGo to fix its scheduling and crew rostering issues has been cancelled with immediate effect. - Mandatory Full Refunds within 48 Hours
IndiGo has been directed to process 100% refunds (including convenience fees) for all cancelled flights within the next 48 hours, failing which daily penalties will be imposed. - Zero Charges on Rescheduling/Rebooking
The airline is strictly prohibited from levying any rescheduling, rebooking, or fare-difference charges on affected passengers till further notice. - Fast-Tracked Inquiry & Penalty
The ongoing DGCA inquiry into crew rostering failures, system outages, and alleged profiteering through dynamic pricing has been put on war footing. A report is now expected within 7 days instead of 30 days. Sources confirm that financial penalties running into several hundred crores are almost certain. - Daily Monitoring Dashboard
IndiGo must submit a real-time dashboard to DGCA showing on-time performance, cancellation numbers, and refund status every 12 hours.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Minister Naidu said,
“Passenger interest is paramount. No airline, however big, can take travellers for granted. We have given IndiGo 48 hours to show visible on-ground improvement. If they fail, we are fully prepared to take the strictest action under the law.”The move has been welcomed across party lines, with thousands of stranded passengers taking to social media to thank the government for the swift intervention.
IndiGo, which commands nearly 60% domestic market share, has cancelled over 1,400 flights in the last seven days, leading to ticket prices on several routes surging up to 300-400%.With the 48-hour clock already ticking, all eyes are now on whether IndiGo can pull off a dramatic turnaround or face the heaviest regulatory action ever seen against an Indian carrier.
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