New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has relinquished more than 700 airport slots at domestic airports following a 10 per cent reduction in its winter flight schedule imposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) earlier this month, officials familiar with the matter said.
Airport slots, which are fixed time windows allocated for aircraft take-offs and landings at congested airports, are critical for smooth flight operations. The surrendered slots apply to the January–March 2026 period and stem directly from the DGCA’s decision to curb frequent last-minute cancellations and improve operational stability.
According to sources, IndiGo has submitted a comprehensive list of the vacated slots to the Civil Aviation Ministry. The ministry has since invited other airlines to apply for permission to operate domestic flights using these newly freed time windows.
IndiGo, which typically operates more than 2,200 flights a day, was required to scale back its services after widespread operational disruptions in December 2025 caused extensive delays and cancellations, inconveniencing thousands of passengers. The regulator’s intervention was aimed at ensuring better compliance with published schedules and preventing further disruptions.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has clarified that the surrendered slots should not remain idle where airlines are capable of adding capacity. Priority will be accorded to carriers that can demonstrate genuine operational readiness, including the availability of additional aircraft, trained pilots, cabin crew, ground handling resources and maintenance personnel, rather than airlines merely rearranging existing services.
Airlines applying for the slots will have to submit detailed information on their preparedness. Any failure to meet the stipulated requirements could lead to cancellation of the allotted slots and their reassignment. The ministry has also underlined that airlines should not discontinue existing routes or reduce sector connectivity in order to deploy the newly available slots.
Industry experts noted that a significant number of the surrendered slots are located at major aviation hubs, making them particularly attractive to competing carriers. The move is seen as a notable development in India’s domestic aviation market, where IndiGo continues to command a dominant share.
IndiGo has stated that it will adhere to the DGCA’s directive and prioritise improving operational reliability and passenger experience in the months ahead.
