New Delhi, 18 December (H.S.): IndiGo Airlines has fully restored its flight network, now operating around 2,200 flights daily, Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers announced on Thursday. He said the airline has shifted its focus toward strengthening internal systems, identifying root causes behind recent disruptions, and steering a strong comeback.

Elbers’ statement came just hours after a parliamentary committee sharply criticized the airline for large-scale operational issues earlier this month that nearly paralyzed India’s aviation sector.

In a video message to employees, the IndiGo CEO praised the collective efforts of teams who worked shoulder to shoulder to stabilize and gradually rebuild the carrier’s extensive network. Elbers also revealed that the company’s Board of Directors has appointed an external aviation expert to conduct a root-cause analysis of the disruptions.

“On December 9, I shared that IndiGo had achieved operational stability. Since then, as of December 18, we have successfully restored our network with 2,200 daily flights. Our focus now lies on three key priorities — strengthening the airline, analyzing the root causes, and ensuring a resilient comeback,” Elbers said.

He emphasized that the worst phase of recent operational challenges is now behind the airline. Elbers further added that he, along with IndiGo’s leadership team, will travel to multiple locations to meet employees and understand the challenges they faced during the widespread disruptions.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had earlier reported that IndiGo canceled thousands of flights between December 1 and 9 due to manpower shortages and its failure to implement newly introduced pilot duty and rest regulations. These rules came into effect on November 1.A DGCA-appointed committee is currently investigating the airline’s operational lapses.

Additionally, following the large-scale cancellations earlier this month, the government directed a 10 percent reduction in IndiGo’s approved winter schedule.The disruptions had led to the cancellation of thousands of flights nationwide, leaving millions of passengers stranded and causing severe inconvenience at major airports across India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar