Aviation – IndiGo Flight Cancellations Impact Over One Million Passengers in Three Months
Aviation – More than one million air passengers were affected after IndiGo cancelled thousands of flights over a three-month span, according to data shared in Parliament. The information was provided by the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, in response to written questions raised in the Lok Sabha.
Scale of Flight Cancellations Revealed in Parliament
The minister informed lawmakers that IndiGo, the country’s largest airline by market share, cancelled a total of 6,936 flights during the period under review. These cancellations collectively impacted 10,81,680 passengers, highlighting the scale of disruption faced by travellers across the network.
The figures were submitted through written replies on Thursday, addressing concerns over operational reliability and passenger inconvenience during peak travel months.
Reasons Behind December Operational Disruptions
Addressing the sharp spike in cancellations during December, Mohol pointed to multiple contributing factors. He said shortcomings in regulatory preparedness, weaknesses in software systems, and gaps in operational oversight played a significant role in the airline’s inability to maintain scheduled services.
In addition to internal and regulatory challenges, adverse weather conditions were also cited as a key factor. Fog, reduced visibility, and other seasonal weather-related issues traditionally disrupt flight operations during winter, particularly at major northern airports.
Regulatory Bodies Face Staffing Shortfalls
Beyond airline-specific issues, the minister also drew attention to staffing gaps across several critical aviation institutions. He revealed that more than 2,645 sanctioned posts remain vacant across major regulatory and operational bodies linked to civil aviation.
These include the Airport Authority of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, and the Airport Economic Regulatory Authority of India. The vacancies span technical, regulatory, and security-related roles essential for safe and efficient air travel.
Breakdown of Vacancies Across Aviation Agencies
Providing agency-wise details, Mohol stated that the DGCA currently has 787 unfilled positions. The AAI accounts for the largest share, with 1,667 vacant posts. Meanwhile, the BCAS has 180 vacancies, and AERA has 11 posts yet to be filled.
He clarified that the vacant positions within the AAI primarily relate to executive-level posts filled through direct recruitment.
Steps Taken to Address Workforce Gaps
The government, he said, has initiated measures to reduce the staffing shortfall. The AAI has accelerated its recruitment processes and redeployed personnel to airports considered operationally sensitive. Additional Air Traffic Controller posts have also been created to meet the demands of expanding airspace and rising traffic volumes.
Regarding the DGCA, Mohol explained that many vacancies resulted from the creation of 441 new posts following a restructuring exercise carried out between 2022 and 2024. These additions were aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight amid rapid growth in the aviation sector.
Deputation-Based Agencies and Ongoing Recruitment
For BCAS and AERA, the minister noted that both organisations operate largely on a deputation basis. Vacancy circulars are issued periodically, and posts are filled in line with established norms and eligibility requirements.
The disclosures have brought renewed focus on the interconnected challenges of airline operations, regulatory preparedness, and manpower planning as India’s aviation sector continues to expand