Over the previous decade, Indian skies have turn into busier than ever earlier than. The nation has emerged because the world’s third-largest home aviation market because of fast financial development, elevated middle-class journey, and increasing regional connectivity. However whereas the variety of airports has mushroomed, the variety of airways has dwindled, making IndiGo nearly synonymous with air journey in India.
In accordance with authorities information, the variety of operational airports has elevated from 74 in 2014 to 163 in 2025. The federal government has set an formidable objective of increasing this community to 350-400 airports by 2047. Aviation has additionally turn into one of many quickest rising sectors of the financial system, contributing not solely by air transport providers but in addition by selling tourism, commerce, logistics and manufacturing.
Nevertheless, the market construction is changing into more and more centralized. In accordance with the Directorate Common of Civil Aviation (DGCA), IndiGo at present holds a dominant 65% share within the home market. Air India Group, consisting of Air India and Air India Specific, holds 26% of the airline, and Acasa Airways holds 5%, making it the third largest home airline. SpiceJet accounts for less than 2% and different airways collectively account for the remaining 2%.
Airways in a number of international locations and areas are struggling to outlive in what is alleged to be the world’s quickest rising aviation market. The sooner collapse of Jet Airways and GoFirst in Might 2023 additional accelerated consolidation, permitting IndiGo to considerably develop its footprint.
However this dominance has come underneath scrutiny after current mass cancellations of IndiGo flights, inflicting widespread disruption to air site visitors throughout the nation. Regulators cited the airline’s failure to correctly handle operational sources, together with plane availability and pilot crew planning.
Following this, the authorities reviewed the winter schedule accredited by Indigo and determined that it should be lowered by no less than 10%. Current present trigger notices for airways will likely be amended and new notices could also be issued. The state of affairs will proceed to be repeatedly reviewed and additional motion will likely be taken as deemed obligatory.
The difficulty was additionally taken up in India’s Rajya Sabha on December 8, when Civil Aviation Minister Ok. Ram Mohan Naidu stated the federal government would take “very strict motion” in opposition to IndiGo to “set an instance” to the business. Throughout Query Hour, the minister stated the confusion was because of IndiGo’s inner lapses, notably mismanagement of crew availability and obligation rosters.
“We don’t take this example calmly. We’re investigating. We’re going to take very, very strict motion in opposition to this example in addition to by instance,” he stated.
Mr. Naidu additionally outlined the implementation of the Revised Flight Obligation Time Limits (FDTL) norms launched following the April 2025 Excessive Court docket order. Of the 22 pointers, 15 got here into impact from July 1st and the remaining seven from November 1st. He careworn that the laws have been developed after intensive session with all stakeholders, together with IndiGo, and should be adopted “with none compromise on security”. The up to date FDTL requirements imply important tightening of crew scheduling laws. Pilots at the moment are required to have 48 hours of relaxation per week in comparison with the earlier 36 hours per week, and evening landings are restricted to 2 hours as a substitute of the earlier six hours.
In a message to airline passengers, IndiGo Airways Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta stated the disaster was staged and denied allegations that the airline was attempting to affect the federal government over amendments to the Flight Obligation Time Limits (FDTL) laws.
flight security
Airways argue that these measures will disrupt roster planning and plane utilization, particularly at hubs with a excessive variety of evening operations, whereas pilot unions argue that the caps are important to cut back amassed fatigue and enhance flight security.
Monetary information highlights clear contrasts throughout the sector. In a written reply, the civil aviation ministry stated IndiGo was the one main airline to report a revenue in 2024-25, incomes Rs 7,253 crore. Air India reported a lack of Rs 3,976 million, Air India Specific Rs 5,832 million, Akasa Airways Rs 1,986 million and Alliance Airways reported a lack of Rs 691 million. SpiceJet additionally remained within the purple with a lack of Rs 56 million, whereas regional airline Star Air was a uncommon exception with a meager revenue of Rs 68 million. Whereas Air India is at present present process a serious transformation after being acquired by the Tata Group in 2022, Go First stays grounded after being grounded in 2023 because of extreme monetary difficulties.
In the meantime, IndiGo continues to make aggressive plans for the longer term. The corporate has positioned a agency order for 500 Airbus A320 household plane. That is the most important single plane order ever positioned by an airline with Airbus. These deliveries, scheduled between 2030 and 2035, will additional strengthen IndiGo’s scale and long-term development prospects.
Amid regulatory measures, IndiGo stated its operations are stabilizing. Demonstrating “continued normalization of operations” over the previous 5 days, the airline stated it was working greater than 2,050 flights per day underneath a revised and lowered schedule in accordance with authorities directives. All 138 locations stay related and on-time efficiency has returned to regular ranges, an IndiGo spokesperson stated.
As India’s aviation sector continues to develop quickly, this episode highlights the challenges of balancing development, security, competitors and accountability in an more and more consolidated market.
issued – December 14, 2025 1:54 AM IST
