India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has imposed a penalty of Rs. 22.20 crore on IndiGo following a detailed investigation into widespread flight disruptions between 3 and 5 December 2025.
The regulator’s order came after a probe into delays, cancellations and operational breakdowns that affected thousands of passengers across multiple airports. Alongside the monetary penalty, the DGCA issued warnings to IndiGo’s senior leadership, including its chief executive, citing lapses in oversight and shortcomings in crisis management during the disruption period.
However, the fine has drawn criticism from pilots’ representatives, who argue that the action falls short of addressing the severity of the episode. The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) said the penalty does not reflect the scale or duration of passenger inconvenience witnessed over the three days.
FIP President CS Randhawa said the regulator appeared to have focused primarily on financial penalties while avoiding clear personal accountability for those responsible for operational failures. According to the pilots’ body, systemic lapses require consequences that go beyond fines, particularly when disruptions persist over several days and strain both passengers and flight crew.
The DGCA has not publicly responded to the criticism, while IndiGo has previously said it is reviewing the regulator’s findings and will strengthen internal processes to prevent a recurrence.
