IndiGo Plans Steady Operations After February 10 Exemption Deadline
IndiGo expects to maintain its current level of flight operations after February 10, when specific exemptions from pilot duty and rest rules expire. Sources familiar with the matter confirm this development. The airline currently operates over 2,200 flights daily. This includes approximately 1,900 domestic flights and the remainder international routes.
Regulatory Oversight and Airline Assurance
Aviation authorities maintain close watch on the situation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) stand ready to intervene if necessary. They could further rationalize the flight schedule. IndiGo has provided repeated assurances to regulators. The airline promises to build sufficient pilot buffers and enhance roster resilience.
IndiGo aims to sustain its current schedule throughout the Winter Schedule period ending March 28. Sources indicate the airline's pilot hiring and onboarding pipeline remains robust. They expect sufficient pilot additions by early to mid-February. The airline also accelerates command upgrades. First officers receive promotions to captain positions where already due. This move should help cover any shortfall and increase pilot bench strength.
Background: New FDTL Rules and Disruption
The new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules mandate more rest for pilots. They rationalize flying duties, particularly late-night operations. These measures aim to better manage pilot fatigue, a key aviation safety risk. The norms took effect in two phases starting July 1, 2025. The second phase rollout on November 1, 2025 significantly impacted IndiGo.
IndiGo holds the lion's share of domestic flights between midnight and 6 am. This period represents the new definition of 'night' under revised FDTL rules. The earlier definition covered midnight to 5 am. Analysis shows IndiGo dominates even in the 5-6 am hour. New rules cap landings for pilots operating during this six-hour period at two, down from six previously.
"This meant pilots operating red-eye flights could only operate one additional flight in their duty shift," explained an aviation analyst. The change hit IndiGo hardest among Indian carriers.
Recent Regulatory Actions and Penalties
DGCA granted IndiGo temporary exemptions from the new night definition and landing caps. These exemptions last until February 10. The relief followed massive network-wide disruption in early December. The crisis peaked on December 5 with over 1,600 flight cancellations. On January 9, regulators ordered IndiGo to curtail its approved domestic schedule by 10% until March.
DGCA recently imposed financial penalties totaling Rs 22.20 crore on IndiGo. This represents the highest-ever regulatory penalty by DGCA on any airline. The amount slightly exceeds IndiGo's average daily net profit for FY 2024-25. Regulators also issued warnings to top management personnel.
Inquiry Findings and Systemic Issues
A four-member DGCA inquiry committee identified primary causes for the December disruption:
- Over-optimization of operations
- Inadequate preparedness for revised FDTL provisions
- Deficiencies in system software support
- Shortcomings in management structure and operational control
The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated the committee observed management failures. These included inadequate identification of planning deficiencies and insufficient operational buffers. The inquiry noted an overriding focus on maximizing utilization of crew, aircraft, and network resources. This approach significantly reduced roster buffer margins.
"Crew rosters were designed to maximize duty periods with minimal recovery margins," the ministry noted. This compromised roster integrity and adversely impacted operational resilience.
Looking Ahead: Contingency Plans
Sources indicate IndiGo is unlikely to seek extension of current exemptions. If pilot hiring and upgrades fall short by February 10, the airline could implement network adjustments. Rationalization of night flights remains a possible measure to achieve roster resilience. This would serve as a last resort option.
Both regulators and the airline continue regular consultations. They assess whether IndiGo can maintain operational scale once relaxations withdraw. The aviation community watches closely as the February 10 deadline approaches. India's civil aviation operations depend significantly on IndiGo, which commands approximately 65% domestic market share.
