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IndiGo Planes Flagged: Safety Audit Reveals 148 Defects
6 Feb
Summary
- IndiGo had 148 aircraft flagged for defects in recent DGCA safety audits.
- Airlines cancelled 6,890 flights in December 2025; IndiGo led cancellations.
- DGCA imposed a Rs 22.20 crore penalty on IndiGo for operational issues.
Recent Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) safety audits have identified IndiGo with the highest number of aircraft flagged for repetitive defects, totaling 148 out of 405 planes analyzed. This finding was revealed in data presented to Parliament on February 3, 2026, detailing issues across scheduled airlines since January 2025.
These safety audit findings coincide with a significant increase in flight cancellations during December 2025, impacting nearly a million passengers. IndiGo alone cancelled 5,689 flights, contributing significantly to the over 6,890 total cancellations. The government attributed these disruptions to IndiGo's over-optimized operations and system deficiencies.
In response to the widespread disruption and safety concerns, the DGCA has imposed a Rs 22.20 crore financial penalty on IndiGo. The airline must also provide a Rs 50 crore bank guarantee to ensure long-term corrective measures are implemented. Furthermore, a senior vice-president has been removed from operational responsibilities due to oversight failures.
