The Delhi High Court issued a significant directive on Thursday, ordering budget carrier IndiGo to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing the refunds and compensation it has initiated for passengers impacted by the large-scale flight cancellations and operational disruptions that crippled India's aviation network in early December 2025. A bench presided over by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia instructed the airline to submit this affidavit within two weeks, scheduling the next hearing for 25 February.
Court Records Government Inquiry Report on Aviation Standstill
In a crucial development, the court formally accepted, in a sealed cover, the inquiry report submitted by the Union government and the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This report investigates the operational lapses that led to the widespread aviation chaos, bringing much of India's air travel to a virtual standstill during the peak travel period.
Record Penalty Imposed on IndiGo for Regulatory Failures
During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, representing the union government, informed the court that substantial penalties totalling ₹22.2 crore have been levied against IndiGo following the probe. He detailed that the airline's chief executive and chief operating officer received formal warnings, while a senior official overseeing the operations control centre was removed from their position for non-compliance with pilot duty and rest regulations.
IndiGo's legal counsel assured the court that refunds for the cancelled flights are actively being processed. Furthermore, affected passengers are being offered compensation of up to ₹10,000 per person, with priority given to those who experienced the most severe disruptions to their travel plans.
Public Interest Litigation Drives Judicial Scrutiny
The court was adjudicating a public interest litigation filed by advocate Akhil Rana, which sought judicial directions for comprehensive passenger support, including timely refunds and adequate compensation for the widespread cancellations that left thousands stranded.
Root Causes of the Mass Disruption Identified
The crisis originated from mass flight cancellations in early December 2025, primarily triggered by IndiGo's failure to adequately adapt to the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. This regulatory misstep led to severe operational disruptions across the airline's network.
On 17 January, the DGCA imposed a record penalty of ₹22.2 crore on IndiGo, holding the airline directly responsible for overstretching its flight crew and failing to comply with the updated FDTL rules. The regulator also mandated IndiGo to furnish a ₹50-crore bank guarantee to ensure future compliance with regulatory directives and to implement long-term systemic reforms.
Inquiry Committee Exposes Systemic Shortcomings
A four-member inquiry committee uncovered that the airline had prioritised maximum utilisation of its aircraft and pilots, maintaining minimal buffer in rosters and heavily relying on extended duties, dead-heading, and tight turnarounds. This approach significantly compromised operational resilience.
The DGCA's investigation further highlighted critical deficiencies in IndiGo's software systems, management structure, and operational control mechanisms. Notably, the regulator pointed out that the airline was facing a shortage of at least 65 captains when the final phase of the FDTL regulations came into effect.
Regulatory Interventions to Stabilise Operations
In response to the crisis, the aviation regulator earlier ordered a 10% reduction in IndiGo's flight schedule, temporarily relaxed certain FDTL norms, imposed fare caps, mandated daily fare submissions, and established a round-the-clock control room to monitor the situation.
Additionally, the DGCA deployed flight operations inspectors and passenger facilitation teams at IndiGo's control centre and key airports between 6 and 30 December. These teams were tasked with monitoring operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and overseeing passenger support measures, including the facilitation of refunds, accommodation arrangements, lounge access, and priority assistance.
IndiGo's February Commitment to Compliance
More than a month after the crisis unfolded, IndiGo has informed the regulator that it expects to have adequate crew strength to fully comply with the revised duty and rest norms by 10 February. In its submissions to the DGCA, the airline stated it currently operates with approximately 2,400 captains and 2,240 first officers and is actively in the process of hiring additional pilots. This recruitment drive aims to enable operations without relying on the temporary FDTL exemptions granted during the disruption period.
During a previous hearing in December, the Delhi High Court had sharply questioned the union government and DGCA regarding the mass cancellations and concurrent sharp increases in airfares. The court observed that passengers were doubly impacted, suffering from both operational chaos and what it described as "predatory pricing" practices during the crisis.
