new delhi, Feb. 18 -- India's largest airline, IndiGo, has sought approval to operate at least 275 additional daily flights, about a 15% increase over its current 1,900-odd departures, during the summer schedule from April to October, according to a presentation made to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). If approved, the airline would operate around 2,175 daily flights-about 8% higher than the 2,022 last summer. The revised target is roughly 15% lower than its earlier ambition of scaling up to 2,550 daily departures, reflecting a more cautious approach amid pilot hiring requirements and stricter flight duty time limitation (FDTL) norms. In its submission to the DGCA, IndiGo indicated a range of 2,175 to 2,310 daily departures for the summer season. The airline has told the regulator it is "revisiting the schedule" and that "final numbers (are) likely to be closer to the lower end of the range," a senior government official said. Documents reviewed by Mint confirm it. The moderated outlook marks a step back from its earlier projections of 2,370 to 2,550 daily flights, which were based on expected fleet additions and higher aircraft utilization. It also reflects operational constraints, particularly around pilot availability, attrition, and compliance with revised FDTL safety norms. Due to the slower expansion, IndiGo is expecting a mid-single-digit growth in unit cost (excluding fuel and forex) for FY26. Management expects available seat per kilometre (ASK)-a measure of passenger capacity-to grow 10% in the fourth quarter, driven primarily by international destinations. However, a low-to-mid-single-digit decline in passenger revenue per available seat kilometre (PRASK) is expected on a high year-ago base owing to Maha Kumbh-related traffic, Motilal Oswal said after IndiGo's Q3 earnings. "Despite near-term challenges in the form of reduced capacity, capped prices, rupee depreciation, and rising damp leases, Indigo remains confident in its growth strategy as India's domestic network remains the backbone, with expanding international connectivity," the brokerage said. Owned by InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo remains India's largest airline with a 59.6% market share. The Tata-backed Air India group-comprising Air India and Air India Express-is the second-largest with nearly 30% share. Akasa Air and SpiceJet trail behind. In a plan shared with the regulator, IndiGo referred to a potential reduction of up to 250 flights per day from April 2026 to ensure full FDTL compliance. The recalibration follows an operational meltdown in December, when the country's civil aviation regulator curtailed IndiGo's domestic departures by 10% after the airline cancelled 4,500 flights in the first week of the month, stranding thousands of passengers. For the summer season, IndiGo plans to operate about 1,875-1,950 daily flights through its Airbus narrow-body fleet, down from an earlier plan of 2,000-2,175. About 280-330 departures are expected to be operated by its ATR turboprop aircraft as against about 350 planned earlier. Around 20-30 flights will run under wet leases, according to documents reviewed by Mint. As of 31 December 2025, IndiGo's total fleet stood at about 440 aircraft, including Airbus, ATR and wet-leased planes. About 10% remain grounded due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues....