Budget carrier Interglobe Aviation held nearly 64% of India's domestic airline market in November, before operations were severely disrupted in early December. The latest data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reveals the airline's dominant position just weeks before facing its worst operational crisis, which led to the cancellation of over 5,000 flights within seven days.

Market Performance Before Crisis

According to DGCA data released on Friday, IndiGo's market share stood at 63.90% in November, representing a 2% month-on-month decline. The country's overall monthly traffic increased significantly to 1.53 crore passengers in November, up nearly 7% from the preceding month.

On-Time Performance Rankings

Despite holding the largest market share, IndiGo's on-time performance (OTP) at six major airports ranked third among carriers. Akasa Air topped the chart with 72.20% OTP, followed by Air India Group at 69.10%, while IndiGo recorded 69.00% OTP across Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata airports.

DGCA Investigation Report Submitted

A four-member DGCA panel has submitted its confidential report to the Civil Aviation Ministry regarding IndiGo's operational meltdown in early December. The committee, formed on December 5, was tasked with assessing the circumstances that led to the massive disruption in the airline's operations during the first week of December. The panel was initially granted a 15-day period to submit its report, but the deadline was extended until December 26.

Crisis Triggers and Recovery

The near-breakdown in IndiGo's operations was triggered by the airline's inability to adapt to new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms. The regulations require pilots and cabin crew to get more rest, including 48-hour weekly breaks instead of the previous 36 hours, along with stricter limits on night landings. IndiGo restored its operations to normal levels by December 15 and has confirmed its preparedness to handle the winter holiday season travel boom, typically stretching from December 25 to January 1.

Interglobe Aviation has confirmed continued operational stability ahead of the holiday season, maintaining robust performance metrics across its extensive network. The airline has successfully sustained full operational stability since December 9, 2025, while consistently operating high flight volumes and maintaining service quality.

Current Operational Performance

IndiGo's operational metrics demonstrate strong capacity utilization and passenger throughput:

The airline has been steadily adding capacity within government guidelines while maintaining IndiGo's standards of on-time performance across its entire network. This operational stability positions the company well to handle the anticipated surge in demand during the holiday season.

Managing Industry Disruptions

The aviation sector recently experienced industry-wide disruptions due to dense fog, particularly affecting northern India operations. IndiGo, like other airlines, faced operational challenges but successfully managed these circumstances to maintain operational stability. The company has implemented effective management strategies to minimize disruptions across its network.

With weather forecasts indicating a harsher winter ahead, IndiGo remains committed to ensuring reliability and minimizing disruptions to provide the least inconvenience to customers. The airline's proactive approach to weather-related challenges demonstrates its operational resilience.

Fleet Expansion and Route Development

IndiGo is preparing for a significant milestone with the upcoming arrival of India's first Airbus A321XLR aircraft. This new aircraft type aims to redefine medium-to-long haul flying for travelers in India and the subcontinent, expanding the airline's operational capabilities.

The company is also evaluating additional domestic and international destinations in line with its fleet expansion plans, with further updates to be shared in due course. This expansion strategy aligns with IndiGo's commitment to connecting India with key destinations around the world.

Strategic Positioning

IndiGo's operational performance reflects its strong market position and ability to maintain service levels during challenging conditions. The airline's consistent flight operations across 138 destinations demonstrate the breadth of its network coverage and operational expertise.

The company's spokesperson emphasized their commitment to giving wings to the nation and connecting India with key destinations worldwide, reinforcing IndiGo's strategic focus on both domestic and international market expansion.