India's aviation sector faced severe turbulence as budget carrier IndiGo was forced to cancel a staggering number of flights, leading to massive disruptions at major airports, particularly in the national capital. The airline cancelled over 1000 flights on Friday, December 5, marking it as the most severely impacted day, which stranded thousands of passengers nationwide.
Delhi Airport Advises Passengers as Normalcy Returns
In the wake of the cancellations, Delhi International Airport issued an advisory to the public. The airport authority stated that IndiGo flight operations are now steadily resuming and getting back to normalcy following the brief but intense disruption. They strongly advised all passengers to check the status of their flight before leaving home for the airport. "We are glad to update that Indigo flight operations are now steadily resuming and getting back to normalcy following the brief disruption. Please check the status of your booking and flight before leaving from home," the airport's statement read.
CEO's Apology and Timeline for Recovery
IndiGo's Chief Executive Officer, Peter Elbers, addressed the crisis through a video message. He formally apologised for the widespread inconvenience caused to customers. Elbers confirmed that December 5 was the most severely impacted day, with cancellations exceeding 1000 flights. He provided a crucial timeline for recovery, stating that it would take some time to return to a full normal situation, which the airline anticipates will happen between December 10 and 15.
Civil Aviation Minister Points to Mismanagement
The massive disruption drew a sharp response from the government. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu squarely blamed IndiGo's mismanagement of its crew in relation to new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations for the chaos. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued the new FDTL norms effective November 1, and the ministry had been engaging with airlines for six months prior.
Minister Naidu noted that other airlines, including Air India and SpiceJet, had adjusted to the new rules, but IndiGo failed to plan adequately. To mitigate the immediate crisis and aid stranded passengers, the Civil Aviation Ministry granted IndiGo a temporary abeyance from the FDTL norms. The DGCA itself attributed the disruptions to IndiGo's "misjudgment and gap in planning" in implementing the new pilot duty-hour regulations.
Exemption and Industry Concerns
In a significant move, the DGCA has granted IndiGo a one-time exemption from certain pilot night duty rules until February 10, 2026. This exemption is aimed at stabilising the airline's operations amidst a pilot staffing crunch. However, this decision has been criticised by the Airlines' Pilots Association (ALPA) of India, which argues it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines safety regulations.
The incident has also reignited concerns about market concentration, given IndiGo's dominant market share of almost 63 percent. The cancellations sparked outrage, even reaching Parliament, prompting the centre to direct airlines to implement corrective measures and ensure prompt passenger refunds.
