India's aviation sector faced significant turbulence on Thursday as the country's largest carrier, IndiGo, was forced to cancel a massive number of flights for the third consecutive day. The airline's operations were thrown into disarray by newly implemented safety regulations designed to combat pilot fatigue, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across major airports.
What Triggered the Widespread Flight Cancellations?
The root of the crisis lies in stringent Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) introduced by India's aviation regulator. These updated norms, which mandate longer rest periods and impose tighter limits on night flying for pilots, came into effect on 1 November. IndiGo has publicly acknowledged that these stricter safety rules have had a "significant impact" on its operations, disrupting its complex rostering system.
The Federation of Indian Pilots has been critical of the airline's preparedness. The pilots' body stated that IndiGo failed to make timely adjustments to its crew schedules and did not plan properly for the implementation of the new rules, leading to the current operational meltdown.
Scale of Disruption: Cancellations Across Major Hubs
The disruption on Thursday was severe and widespread, building upon 150 flight cancellations recorded the previous day. Airport officials confirmed the following cancellations across key metro cities:
- Bengaluru: 73 flights cancelled
- Hyderabad: 68 flights cancelled
- Delhi: Approximately 30 flights cancelled
- Mumbai and other metros: Dozens more cancellations expected
This cascading effect highlights the deepening operational stress at the carrier, which commands over 60% of India's domestic market share and typically operates more than 2,000 flights daily.
Reputational Damage and the Road to Recovery
The ongoing crisis deals a substantial blow to IndiGo's brand identity, which has been built over two decades on a reputation for punctuality and reliability, often marketed as "IndiGo Standard Time." The current wave of delays and cancellations represents a major setback to this carefully cultivated image.
In a statement, the airline indicated it is making "calibrated adjustments" over the next 48 hours to stabilize its network, suggesting that a full recovery may still be several days away. The airline has urged all passengers to check real-time flight status updates on its official website before heading to the airport.
For travellers, the situation remains fluid. Further cancellations are likely through Friday, especially for flights originating from or destined to major hubs like Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. Passengers are strongly advised to monitor their flight status closely as IndiGo works to reconfigure its schedules and roster its pilots in line with the new regulatory framework.
