Finshots Daily Has IndiGo’s monopoly paralysed India’s aviation system?
Dec 9, 2025
Explore the recent IndiGo crisis that left India’s aviation in turmoil. Discover the regulatory challenges and accountability issues stemming from the operational meltdown. Delve into the reasons behind IndiGo's dominance in the market and the financial strategies that fueled its growth. Unpack the implications of strong market share and the potential systemic risks posed by disrupting a major player. The discussion also highlights the need for structural changes to foster competition and ensure a healthier aviation landscape.
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Stricter Pilot Duty Rules Took Effect
- DGCA's revised FDTL rules tightened pilot duty, rest, and night landing limits across India.
- The changes required airlines to hire more crew and redesign rosters to avoid pilot fatigue and meet global standards.
IndiGo's Operational Breakdown
- Indigo allegedly failed to adjust rosters, froze pilot hiring, and increased departures despite new rules.
- The result was over 1,000 cancelled flights on December 2 and major disruption across airports.
Market Share Turned Failure Systemic
- IndiGo's >60% domestic market share magnified its operational failure into a national crisis.
- When one airline dominates capacity, its disruptions ripple across the entire aviation network.