IndiGo Airlines to Fully Adopt Revised Flight Duty Regulations Starting February 2026
The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on Wednesday that IndiGo Airlines has formally committed to implementing the complete revised Flight Duty Time Limitation framework effective February 11, 2026. This decision marks the conclusion of a temporary regulatory relaxation granted to the airline during a period of significant operational challenges.
Temporary Exemption Granted Following Widespread Flight Disruptions
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had provided IndiGo with a one-time exemption from specific provisions within the updated FDTL regulations, valid until February 10, 2026. This regulatory relief was authorized in response to extensive flight disruptions that occurred throughout November and early December of the previous year. The widespread delays and cancellations across multiple airport stations triggered regulatory investigations and numerous passenger complaints, creating substantial operational stress for the carrier.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation elaborated: "In view of the massive flight disruptions faced by IndiGo Airlines during the initial days of December 2025, the airline was granted a one-time temporary exemption from specific provisions of the FDTL regulations. This approval, dated December 5, 2025, was strictly limited to the period ending February 10, 2026, with the primary objectives of stabilizing flight operations while safeguarding passenger safety and interests."
Stringent Conditions and Continuous Monitoring During Exemption Period
The temporary regulatory relief came with multiple stringent conditions imposed by aviation authorities. IndiGo was required to submit detailed hourly flight operations data to the DGCA along with comprehensive weekly and fortnightly reports documenting operational performance metrics.
Throughout the exemption validity period, regulatory oversight remained exceptionally rigorous. The DGCA conducted periodic review meetings to closely monitor IndiGo's flight operations. Additionally, DGCA officers were strategically deployed at various airports to oversee passenger handling procedures and directly address any passenger inconveniences.
The ministry further detailed: "Flight Operations Inspectors were positioned at IndiGo's Operations Control Centre to enable real-time monitoring of flight operations. This arrangement ensured continuous regulatory supervision throughout the entire exemption period, maintaining safety standards while allowing operational stabilization."
Commitment to Full Compliance with Revised FDTL Framework
According to the Ministry's statement, IndiGo has now formally communicated to the DGCA that the airline will be fully prepared to comply with all statutory provisions and implement the approved Flight Duty Time Limitation Scheme dated October 9, 2025, immediately following the exemption's expiration.
The airline has confirmed that all necessary operational adjustments, crew rostering modifications, and monitoring arrangements are currently being established to guarantee complete compliance with the approved FDTL scheme beginning February 11, 2026.
Background of Operational Challenges and Regulatory Response
This development follows severe operational disruptions experienced by the carrier in early December, when cascading flight delays and cancellations affected multiple stations simultaneously. These widespread issues prompted intensified regulatory scrutiny from the DGCA, deployment of officials at key airport locations, and comprehensive reviews of crew rostering practices and operational resilience measures.
The temporary exemption from specific FDTL provisions was strategically positioned as a stabilization measure during this period of acute operational disruption. With the exemption strictly time-bound to expire on February 10, 2026, the ministry's latest statement emphasizes that the regulatory relaxation was always intended as temporary and conditional. Aviation authorities now expect full compliance with the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation framework to commence without exception from the designated implementation date.
