India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has been struck by massive operational chaos, resulting in the cancellation of more than 600 flights over the past two days (Tuesday and Wednesday), leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded and creating widespread disruption at airports across the country. On Thursday alone, over 400 flights were cancelled.
The Cause: Misjudgment of Pilot Duty Rules
In a formal explanation to aviation regulators, IndiGo attributed the crisis to “misjudgment and planning gaps” in implementing Phase 2 of the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules. The airline acknowledged that the actual crew requirement needed to comply with the rules “exceeded their anticipation.”
- Punctuality Plummets: The airline, typically known for its high punctuality, registered an on-time performance (OTP) of just 19.7 per cent on Wednesday, a sharp drop from 35 per cent recorded on Tuesday.
- Widespread Cancellations: Sources indicated that more than 550 domestic and international flights were cancelled on Thursday alone. Airports reported significant individual cancellation numbers:
- Bengaluru: 99 flights
- Hyderabad: 79 flights
- Delhi: Around 150 flights
- Mumbai: 118 flights
Airline Seeks Regulatory Relief
Following a review of the disruptions by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and ministry officials, the airline issued an apology and confirmed it is working with support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA), DGCA, and airport operators to restore normalcy.
- Stabilization Timeline: IndiGo has formally sought time from aviation regulators until February 10, 2026, to fully stabilize its operations.
- Request for Relief: To cope with the immediate crew shortages, the airline has also asked for relief from the rules that limit pilot duty hours at night, though the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not yet confirmed if this request was granted.
- Further Cuts: IndiGo also announced that more cancellations would take place over the next two to three days as part of its schedule stabilization efforts, with significant flight reductions set to begin from December 8.
DGCA teams conducting checks at Delhi Airport (Terminal 1) also found that IndiGo had “inadequate” passenger-handling staff to manage the crowding caused by the massive scale of the disruptions.