- Competition Commission of India ordered a probe against IndiGo for massive December flight cancellations
- CCI alleges IndiGo created artificial scarcity and holds 60-63% market dominance
- IndiGo claims CCI lacks jurisdiction; CCI rejects and cites antitrust laws authority
The Competition Commission of India has ordered a detailed probe against InterGlobe Aviation Ltd. for massive flight cancellations in December, suspecting unfair practices.
According to the 16-page order, the regulatory body has alleged that IndiGo indulged in unfair practices by cancelling thousands of flights and creating an artificial scarcity, and ordered a thorough investigation of the matter. The CII also alleged market dominance by the airline.
IndiGo, however, counter argued that CCI has no jurisdiction and the matter falls under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The CCI rejected these arguments, citing power under anti-market dominance laws. The CCI's initial probe had found market dominance by IndiGo, noting 60–63% control over market share.
Anti-market dominance laws, also known as antitrust laws, bar companies from abusing a dominant market position to stifle competition, rather than forbidding the dominance itself.
The initial probe had found prima facie dominance, suggesting that India's largest airline froze its own operations and limited consumer access to air travel during peak demand.
As per competition law, this is considered as restricting the provision of services by a dominant player.
The order further stated that the director general at the CCI will conduct an extensive probe into the airline and submit the report in 90 days. As part of the probe, Indigo has to provide details on reasons behind mass flight cancellations and whether flight cancellations were avoidable or strategic.
The CCI will also look at airfare trends, pricing algorithms, yield management, capacity deployment, slot usage, and pricing by other airlines.
IndiGo's Saga Of Cancellations
In the beginning of December 2025, IndiGo's failure to adapt to new crew-rostering rules triggered widespread flight disruptions, leaving lakhs of travellers stranded at airports across the country.
At the centre of the crisis were regulations requiring pilots and cabin crew to get more rest, including 48-hour weekly breaks instead of 36 hours earlier and stricter limits on night landings.
The airline has been accused of failing to make arrangements to comply with the new rules. As a result, IndiGo was left short of crew, forcing it to ground more than half its fleet.
ALSO READ: IndiGo Under CCI Lens After December Flight Meltdown Disrupts Aviation Sector
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