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IndiGo Surrenders 700+ Airport Slots After DGCA Orders Winter Flight Cut

IndiGo has vacated more than 700 domestic airport slots following a DGCA directive that reduced its winter schedule by 10% to address operational disruptions. The slots, spanning January to March 2026, have been submitted to the Civil Aviation Ministry for redistribution to other carriers. The ministry will prioritize airlines that can demonstrate genuine expansion capacity with additional aircraft and crew, not just reshuffling existing flights. This move aims to utilize the freed capacity at major hubs and stabilize India's domestic aviation market after widespread passenger inconvenience.

Key Points: IndiGo Vacates 700+ Slots Following DGCA 10% Flight Reduction

  • DGCA imposed 10% winter flight cut
  • Over 700 slots vacated Jan-Mar 2026
  • Slots open for other airlines to request
  • Ministry prioritizes airlines with proven expansion capacity
2 min read

IndiGo vacates more than 700 domestic airport slots following DGCA's 10% winter flight reduction

IndiGo surrenders over 700 domestic airport slots after DGCA imposes a 10% winter schedule cut to curb cancellations and restore operational stability.

"The preference will be given to airlines that can demonstrate capacity... and not merely a reshuffling of existing flights. - Civil Aviation Ministry"

New Delhi, January 24

India's largest airline, IndiGo, has surrendered over 700 slots at various domestic airports after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation imposed a 10 per cent cut on its winter flight schedule in early December due to widespread operational disruptions.

Airport slots refer to designated time windows allocated to airlines for aircraft takeoffs and landings at busy airports. These slots are critical for maintaining flight schedules and operational efficiency.

The vacated slots, spread across the January to March 2026 period, stem from the DGCA's directive aimed at curbing frequent last-minute cancellations and restoring stability in IndiGo's operations. The airline, which typically operates over 2,200 daily flights, was forced to trim services following massive disruptions reported in December 2025.

According to sources familiar with the matter, IndiGo submitted a detailed list of more than 700 slots to the Civil Aviation Ministry. In response, the ministry has invited other airlines to submit requests for operating domestic flights on these newly available slots.

IndiGo has submitted a list of more than 700 slots to the ministry, which it has vacated after the domestic winter schedule was reduced by 10 per cent in early December last year.

For the redistribution of the slots, the Civil Aviation Ministry aims that the surrendered slots should not remain unutilized where capacity can be added. The preference will be given to airlines that can demonstrate capacity in the form of additional aircraft, pilots, cabin crew, ground support equipment and maintenance engineers, and not merely a reshuffling of existing flights.

Airlines must share operational preparedness, failing which assigned slots will be cancelled and re-assigned, and existing routes or sector connectivity shall not be discontinued to utilise vacated slots, as per the Ministry.

The DGCA's action came amid significant passenger inconvenience caused by cancellations and delays earlier in the winter season. The regulator's move sought to prevent further instability and ensure better adherence to schedules.

Industry observers note that the freed-up slots are primarily at major hubs.

This development marks a significant adjustment in India's domestic aviation landscape, where IndiGo holds a dominant market share. The airline has committed to complying with the DGCA's order to prioritise reliability and passenger experience moving forward.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a frequent flyer, this is concerning. IndiGo has the largest network. If they're struggling with operations, what does it say about the industry's health? The ministry's condition about airlines proving real capacity is smart. Can't just shuffle planes around.
A
Ananya R
Good move by the regulator. Passenger convenience should be top priority. But I hope ticket prices don't shoot up because of reduced capacity. 🛫 The focus on operational preparedness is key - we need airlines that can actually deliver, not just promise.
V
Vikram M
This is a big deal. 700 slots is a huge number. Maybe this will give a chance to airlines like Akasa or Vistara to expand their reach on key routes. More competition is always better for us passengers. Jai Hind!
K
Karthik V
While the action is needed, let's be fair. IndiGo operates a massive fleet. Some disruptions are inevitable. The real test is how they bounce back. Hope they use this time to fix their internal issues. Respectfully, a 10% cut seems quite severe.
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Priya S
My cousin works in aviation. He says the pilot and crew shortage is a major issue across all airlines. DGCA's move to ask for demonstrated capacity is spot on. You can't run flights without proper staff. Safety first!

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