New Delhi, India – December 14, 2025 : In a major development during India’s peak year-end travel season, Air India has proposed operating more than 275 additional flights in December 2025 to offset capacity shortages created by a government-mandated cut in IndiGo’s flight operations.
The move follows a directive from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and aviation regulator DGCA, which ordered IndiGo to reduce its approved winter schedule by 10% after severe operational disruptions earlier this month. As a result, IndiGo’s daily domestic flights have been cut from around 2,145 to approximately 1,930.
The disruptions were triggered by IndiGo’s inadequate preparation for revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which came into effect on November 1, 2025, to prevent pilot fatigue. Poor implementation led to over 5,000 flight cancellations, widespread delays, stranded passengers, and sharp spikes in airfares across key routes.
In a communication to the aviation ministry, Tata Group-owned Air India said it is prepared to “explore operating 275 additional flights this month,” particularly on high-demand domestic routes most affected by IndiGo’s cutbacks. However, the airline emphasized that any meaningful expansion would require a clear and longer-term capacity reallocation plan from the government to allow adjustments in fleet deployment, crew scheduling, and operational readiness.
To prevent passenger exploitation during the disruption, the government has also temporarily capped airfares across all airlines. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, along with Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, has instructed airlines to strengthen grievance redressal through the Air Sewa platform, while DGCA continues to closely monitor compliance.
Officials indicated that route-specific curtailments for IndiGo are likely to be finalized over the December 13–14 weekend, with vacated slots potentially being redistributed on a temporary basis to competing carriers. Airlines expected to benefit include Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, in addition to Air India’s mainline operations.
IndiGo, which holds nearly 60% of India’s domestic aviation market, said it operated over 2,050 flights on December 13 under its revised schedule and claimed that operations are stabilizing. Nevertheless, regulatory scrutiny remains high.
Aviation analysts see the episode as a potential inflection point in addressing market concentration. Minister Naidu has previously stated that India’s fast-growing aviation market can sustain “at least five major airlines.” However, industry rivals caution that meaningful competition will depend on whether capacity adjustments extend beyond short-term measures.
With Christmas and New Year travel demand peaking, the government’s intervention and Air India’s proposed expansion are expected to improve connectivity, stabilize fares, and restore passenger confidence during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
