The crisis stems from the airline’s difficulty in adapting to India’s revised flight duty time limitation (FDTL) rules, which require longer rest hours and stricter night-duty restrictions for pilots. The new rules were designed to improve safety and reduce fatigue, but IndiGo reportedly underestimated the staffing needs required to comply.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in a sharp statement, attributed the disruptions to “misjudgment and planning gaps” during the airline’s transition to the updated norms. Regulators have directed IndiGo to immediately submit comprehensive plans detailing crew recruitment, training timelines, risk assessments and operational restructuring.
Pilot Associations Warn Against Dilution of Safety Rules
While some reports indicate that temporary waivers may have been granted to IndiGo—particularly around combining weekly rest with leave—the DGCA has not publicly verified these claims. The Airline Pilots Association of India has strongly opposed any relaxation, warning that softening duty-time rules would “gravely compromise the safety of the flying public.”
Under the revised norms, pilots are limited to two night-time landings per week, compared to six earlier. This shift requires more personnel to maintain schedules, particularly during December’s peak travel season.
Chaos at Airports, Passengers Voice Anger
Scenes of overcrowding, long queues and confusion unfolded at several airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. All IndiGo departures from Delhi were cancelled, prompting thousands to camp inside terminal buildings awaiting alternatives or refunds.
Many passengers expressed frustration on social media, alleging that the airline failed to provide accurate real-time information, food or accommodation on time. Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, posted that he was “lost for words” after missing a staff member’s wedding due to the meltdown.
IndiGo announced that cancellation and rescheduling charges would be waived for travel dates between 5 and 15 December. The airline also said arrangements were being made for hotel stays and meals for stranded travellers, though reports indicate the support remained uneven across cities.
Airports Issue Advisories, Government Steps In
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said it was closely monitoring the situation, with the Union aviation minister reportedly expressing “clear displeasure” over IndiGo’s handling of the disruptions. Major airports issued advisories urging passengers to check their flight status before travelling to terminals.
Experts warn that prolonged disruptions could strain India’s aviation capacity, especially with a surge in holiday travel, school vacations and wedding-season traffic. With IndiGo reducing flights from 8 December to stabilise operations, travellers may continue facing inconvenience well into January.