New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): IndiGo has announced that it has restored around 95% of its network, planning over 1,500 flights on Sunday and reconnecting 135 of its 138 destinations. The airline described the sharp reduction in flights on Saturday, when just over 700 flights operated, as a strategic “reboot” to stabilise schedules and crew rosters following widespread operational disruptions that affected thousands of passengers nationwide.
In a statement, IndiGo acknowledged that while significant progress has been made, the airline still has challenges ahead in fully restoring passenger confidence. It thanked employees, travellers, partners, and government agencies for supporting its efforts during the disruptions.
The recovery effort comes amid intense scrutiny from political and regulatory quarters. Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram called the incident a “massive failure,” highlighting shortcomings at IndiGo’s management, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the DGCA. He noted that airlines struggled to comply with the revised Flight Duty Time Limits (FDTL) implemented in January 2024.
The DGCA has issued show cause notices to CEO Pieter Elbers and Accountable Manager/COO Isidro Porqueras for “serious lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management.” The executives have been given 24 hours to respond. Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu held a high-level review meeting with IndiGo leadership on Saturday. Officials stated that corrective actions will be determined based on the findings of an enquiry committee evaluating the disruptions and response measures.
IndiGo said the temporary cutback was necessary to recalibrate operations and prevent further chaos. By Sunday evening, the airline had reinstated most of its services, marking a major step toward stabilising its network after nearly a week of operational turmoil.
The airline stressed its commitment to ensuring smooth travel in the coming days and rebuilding trust with passengers affected by the recent disruptions.
