Competition Commission Probes IndiGo After Massive Flight Disruptions

India’s antitrust regulator is reviewing whether IndiGo violated competition laws following a major operational crisis that affected thousands of passengers across the country. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) said it is examining allegations of anticompetitive behaviour tied to the airline’s handling of its flight schedule, amid concerns over its dominant position in the domestic aviation market.

The airline, which controls over 60 per cent of India’s domestic routes, cancelled approximately 4,500 flights earlier this month due to issues with pilot rosters and crew scheduling. The cancellations left tens of thousands of passengers stranded and prompted government intervention, including temporary caps on airfares. The disruption has been described as one of the most severe in India’s aviation history.

The CCI’s review follows multiple complaints and reports highlighting the impact of the cancellations on passengers and competing carriers. The regulator is assessing whether IndiGo’s conduct amounts to an abuse of its dominant market position under the Competition Act, 2002. If initial findings indicate anticompetitive practices, the commission could initiate a full investigation, examining whether the airline’s operational failures and pricing behaviour during the crisis harmed competition or disadvantaged consumers.

IndiGo has stated that its operations have now stabilised and assured both customers and regulators that flight schedules are returning to normal. The airline attributed the earlier disruptions to challenges in adapting to new pilot fatigue and crew rostering regulations introduced in November, which affected its ability to maintain planned services.

In addition to the CCI probe, a parliamentary panel has criticised both IndiGo and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for their handling of the crisis. The DGCA has also dismissed several flight operations inspectors and directed IndiGo to recruit additional pilots to strengthen operational resilience.