In a bold move to restore order in India's skies, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu announced that the Centre will cut IndiGo's winter flight schedule by about 5%, reallocating around 100-110 daily slots to competing airlines. The decision comes after weeks of chaos, with IndiGo canceling thousands of flights due to pilot shortages triggered by stricter fatigue rules.​​

The crisis escalated sharply following the full enforcement of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) on November 1, leaving passengers stranded and refunds totaling over ₹745 crore. Major airports like Bengaluru and Hyderabad saw the worst hits, with over 700 cancellations reported between December 1 and 8 alone. IndiGo, which commands over 65% of domestic air traffic with 2,200 daily flights, blamed roster gaps but faced criticism for ignoring earlier warnings.​

Minister Naidu, speaking in Rajya Sabha and on Doordarshan, vowed "exemplary action" after a ministry probe uncovers lapses. Slots may return to IndiGo once reliability improves, but for now, carriers like Air India and SpiceJet stand to gain, potentially easing capacity strains. This shake-up aligns with Naidu's vision for a competitive market featuring five key players, countering concerns over IndiGo's dominance.​

Travelers are advised to check IndiGo flight status regularly, as disruptions continue with 271 cancellations logged on December 9, especially at Ahmedabad. Opposition voices, including Congress MP Prithviraj Chavan, call for breaking up IndiGo's monopoly to prevent future meltdowns. The aviation sector watches closely as this could reshape winter travel options nationwide.