61% passengers say ₹22.2 crore fine on IndiGo inadequate:Penalty trivial compared to hardship faced by 3 lakh flyers in December

A majority of Indian air passengers believe that the ₹22.20 crore fine imposed on IndiGo Airlines and the regulatory action taken against it are insufficient, according to a survey conducted by LocalCircles. The survey found that 61% of respondents felt the penalty did not match the mental, physical and financial distress faced by passengers following large-scale flight disruptions in December 2025. The action followed the cancellation of 2,507 flights and delays to 1,852 flights between December 3 and 5, which affected over three lakh passengers due to changes in flight duty time limitation (FDTL) regulations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) subsequently imposed the fine on IndiGo for violations of operational norms. Survey findings More than 31,000 air travellers from 292 districts participated in the post-action survey. While 21% of respondents said the DGCA’s action was fully justified, 18% were undecided. A large number of passengers also alleged that IndiGo offered travel vouchers instead of legally mandated cash refunds after flight cancellations. Respondents said the penalty was too small to deter similar violations in the future and called for stricter enforcement and passenger compensation. Details of the penalty The fine was imposed under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. While the base penalty amounts to ₹1.80 crore, the DGCA imposed an additional ₹30 lakh per day for IndiGo’s failure to comply with FDTL rules for 68 days, amounting to ₹20.40 crore. This took the total penalty to ₹22.20 crore. IndiGo’s response IndiGo said it would fully comply with all DGCA directions and ensure that required corrective measures are implemented within stipulated timelines. The airline said its board and management have ordered a comprehensive internal review to strengthen systems, operational processes and compliance mechanisms in the wake of the incident. The regulator continues to monitor the airline’s compliance with safety and operational standards.