Antitrust action: Competition panel launches probe into IndiGo following flight disruptions
The crisis was triggered by the airline’s failure to properly prepare for new Flight Duty Time Limitation safety norms
| Photo Credit:
Regis Duvignau
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) on Thursday initiated proceedings against IndiGo under the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002 for recent flight disruptions across various routes.
According to a CCI communique, based on an “initial assessment” of the disruption in the aviation sector, proceedings will be initiated under the anti-competition law.
What this means is that the Commission has formed a prima facie opinion about evidence of a market disruption caused by IndiGo’s market dominance, to warrant a formal probe. This will follow a formal inquiry by the Director-General, who has the power to summon executives, record statements and demand internal company documents or mails.
IndiGo is already facing a PIL in the Delhi High Court following a major operational collapse, cancelling over 4,600 flights which left more than 1.2 million passengers stranded at various airports. The crisis was triggered by the airline’s failure to properly prepare for new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) safety norms which significantly raise mandatory pilot rest and restrict night duty. While other airlines successfully transitioned, IndiGo’s ‘lean’ staffing model, which relies on minimal crew buffers, was unable to absorb the 20 per cent drop in pilot availability caused by the new rules.
The situation led to severe allegations of wilful negligence and safety violations. Pilot unions and aviation experts alleged that IndiGo had maintained an intentional hiring freeze to keep costs low, despite having a two-year notice period to comply with the new safety standards.
A CCI investigation into IndiGo, which has a 65 per cent market share in India’s aviation sector, will examine whether the airline abused its dominant position and restricted the provision of services and paralysed the aviation sector.
Published on December 18, 2025
