Govt sets up panel to reallocate slots vacated by IndiGo
Currently, IndiGo is operating around 2,200 daily flights (domestic plus international).
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VELANKANNI RAJ B
The government has put in place a mechanism to redistribute slots vacated by IndiGo following a 10 per cent cut in its schedule .
While a committee has been appointed to examine other airlines’ requests for slots, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring IndiGo’s operations to ensure that mass scale disruptions do not recur with regulatory oversight.
The airline, on Monday, assured the regulator of operational stability post February 10 when DGCA granted flight duty time relaxations end. It informed the regulator it has adequate pilot availability to maintain its reduced operations. The airline has 2,400 Airbus captains as against a requirement of 2,280.
Slot allocations
Last week, the Civil Aviation Ministry formed a 7-member committee to examine the redistribution of slots vacated by IndiGo in line with guidelines.
Currently, the airline is operating around 2,200 daily flights (domestic plus international). The service reductions are expected to continue till March-end and may even extend into summer.
On January 9, the Ministry said the committee shall ensure that allocation shall be carried out in a fair, transparent and equitable manner keeping in view the ability of airlines to enhance capacity to operate on the cancelled slots. This includes not only aircraft capacity but also availability of pilots, cabin crew and ground support equipment. Slots would be cancelled and re-assigned in case airlines fail to share preparedness, it said.
Earlier, the regulator had asked other carriers to submit details on planned fleet addition. Subsequently details on flights cancelled by IndiGo were shared with rival airlines.
While the government is taking proactive steps for growth, aviation industry executives are skeptical whether there will be many takers for slots vacated by IndiGo. This is because reduction has been done in such a manner that the same flight is not cut over the entire period. The airline has kept flights from Delhi and Mumbai intact while reducing flights on other routes. Flights being reduced also include late night or red eye departures.
A government official said it will be up to airlines to decide whether they want to take over IndiGo slots or seek fresh ones.
On December 9, the DGCA directed IndiGo to reduce its schedule by 10 per cent across sectors, especially on high demand and high frequency routes. The airline was also asked to avoid flights where it has a single flight.
Published on January 20, 2026
