India's largest airline, IndiGo, has significantly reduced its seat capacity for November 2026 by 300,000 seats compared to the previous month. This reduction comes despite the ongoing festive travel season, which typically sees increased demand for flights.
According to data from aviation analytics firm OAG, IndiGo's capacity for November stands at 12.8 million seats, down from 13.1 million in October 2026. The airline's capacity had previously been 11.7 million seats in August and 11.3 million in September.
Rising Costs Drive Capacity Cuts
The airline attributes these capacity reductions to escalating operational costs, primarily driven by high jet fuel prices and broader geopolitical uncertainties. These factors are compelling carriers to not only scale back available seats but also to increase airfares.
The third quarter, which spans October to December, is traditionally the strongest for Indian airline operators due to festive celebrations and wedding travel. However, a different trend is emerging this year, with domestic carriers collectively reducing capacity in both October and November 2026 compared to the same period last year.
Overall, the industry's capacity has contracted by 2.5%, with international capacity seeing a 0.8% reduction and domestic capacity declining by 3.3% this November compared to November 2025.
IndiGo CEO Willie Walsh commented on the situation, stating, "The aviation industry has entered a stronger quarter, with the second quarter traditionally being the weakest period for airlines. The picture for the third quarter remains positive owing to forward bookings. We are now in a stronger quarter. The second quarter is generally historically the softest." He noted that IndiGo's capacity saw a 1% reduction during the second quarter.
Industry-Wide Impact and Airport Traffic
IndiGo is not alone in adjusting its operations. Air India maintained its 3.3 million seats from October 2026 but saw a 12.8% year-on-year reduction in capacity for November 2025. Air India Express also reduced its capacity by 1.1% year-on-year, while SpiceJet implemented the steepest cuts, decreasing capacity by 28.8% compared to last year.
Conversely, Akasa Air, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines were among the few carriers that increased their capacity, by 31.9%, 1.3%, and 2.1% respectively, compared to November 2025.
The impact of these capacity reductions is also visible in airport traffic figures. Delhi, India's busiest airport for domestic flights, recorded 2.9 million seats in November 2026, a 3% decrease from last year. Mumbai and Bengaluru airports, the second and third busiest, also experienced declines of 1% each, with 1.85 million and 1.84 million seats respectively.