IndiGo Targets Stronger Operations After Major December Disruption

IndiGo, Asia’s largest low-cost carrier, is making operational resilience a top priority after a severe systems failure in early December exposed vulnerabilities in its fast-growing network. The disruption, which unfolded over just three days, forced the airline to cancel nearly 2,500 flights, stranding passengers and drawing sharp scrutiny from India’s aviation regulator.

Speaking to Bloomberg TV at the Singapore Airshow, Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers acknowledged the scale of the challenge. With IndiGo now operating more than 2,200 flights daily, Elbers said the airline is focused on strengthening internal processes to ensure that its vast operations are better equipped to handle stress and unexpected failures.

The December incident triggered regulatory intervention and financial penalties, with management held accountable for the chaos. While Elbers confirmed that the airline has since re-evaluated its systems, he stopped short of detailing specific operational changes, signaling that the review process is still ongoing and likely to unfold over time.

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Despite the setback, IndiGo has returned to full operational strength, carrying up to 380,000 passengers a day. The airline expects capacity to grow by around 10% in the quarter ending March, supported by the steady delivery of new aircraft at a pace of roughly one per week.

At the same time, IndiGo is pushing ahead with its international ambitions. The carrier has begun operating Airbus A321 XLR aircraft, enabling longer routes with single-aisle efficiency. After launching flights to Athens from Delhi and Mumbai, the airline plans to add Istanbul next, underscoring its intent to balance growth with a renewed emphasis on operational stability.

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