IndiGo flight cancellations surged to 200 per day this week. Pilot shortages, which IndiGo attributes to new duty rules, have triggered the chaos. Thousands of passengers face delays across India. Operations at Delhi airport ground to a halt. Full recovery is expected by February 10, 2026.
IndiGo Flight Cancellations: Widespread Disruptions Grip Network
IndiGo flight cancellations reached hundreds on Friday. The carrier operates over 2,000 flights daily. It holds a 60 percent market share in India. Disruptions spanned three days leading up to Friday’s peak. All 235 IndiGo flights from Delhi have been cancelled today. Airports in Mumbai and other cities issued advisories. Passengers must check their status before travel.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reviewed the crisis on Thursday. IndiGo informed the DGCA of a misjudgment in crew needs under the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules. Phase two took effect on November 1, 2025. Rules mandate a 48-hour weekly rest. Night landings cap at two per week, down from six. IndiGo flight cancellations stem from these limits. Night operations face acute shortages.
DGCA directed IndiGo to submit a roadmap. It covers crew recruitment, training, and roster fixes. Fortnightly reports follow. Inspections at Delhi Terminal 1 revealed inadequate staffing for the crowds. DGCA ordered urgent manpower boosts.
Pilot Shortages IndiGo: New Rules Expose Planning Gaps
IndiGo cites pilot shortages as a core issue. The airline misjudged requirements for FDTL compliance. Night slots cluster post-rules. IndiGo flies high-frequency routes with lean crews. Fleet exceeds 400 aircraft. Utilisation outpaces rivals like Air India.
November saw 1,232 IndiGo flight cancellations. Crew constraints caused 62 per cent. The DGCA enforced its norms following the Delhi High Court order. Airlines lobbied for delays. Limited relaxations applied. IndiGo sought temporary exemptions on Thursday. It requests variations for the A320 fleet until February 10, 2026.
DGCA withdrew the weekly rest clause on Friday. Pilots now combine leave with rest. Night landings rise to six. This eases pressure. DGCA deploys inspectors to fly IndiGo routes. Measure aids stabilisation.
Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA) criticised the relief. “Any relief granted undermines the spirit of the new regulations and gravely compromises the safety of the flying public,” ALPA stated. The Federation of Indian Pilots urged the reallocation of slots to stable carriers.
Delhi Airport Cancellations: Hub Becomes Epicentre of Strands
Delhi airport cancellations totalled all IndiGo departures on Friday. Thousands queued at counters. Social media users expressed anger over the delays in updates. IndiGo arranged hotels and meals. Refunds will be processed within 3-5 days for affected bookings.
IndiGo waives fees for reschedules between December 5 and 15. Plan B options allow rebooking or refunds at no extra cost. SMS alerts go to registered numbers. Emails follow with revised itineraries.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu voiced apparent displeasure. He met with officials from the Airport Authority of India (AAI). Directors must support stranded passengers. DGCA monitors fares to curb hikes. Winter fog adds strain. Operations will be reduced from December 8 to cut disruptions.
India Travel Chaos: Peak Season Amplifies Passenger Woes
India travel chaos unfolds during holidays and weddings. December peaks demand. School breaks boost family trips. IndiGo flight cancellations strand thousands. Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, missed a wedding. “Lost for words,” he posted.
The broader network suffers. IndiGo X responses cite operational reasons. Refunds initiate automatically. Alternate flights are available via the website. Staff assist at airports. DGCA attributes issues to planning gaps. No tech outages noted beyond routine.
South Asia feels ripples. The routes between Pakistan and Bangladesh link via Delhi. Stranded expats report delays. Regional carriers watch for fare surges. Aviation ties demand quick fixes.
Background: FDTL Reforms and Aviation Pressures
FDTL rules aim to curb fatigue. Phase one hit July 1, 2025. Complaints from pilots drove changes. DGCA mandates more rest. Night duties extend but limit landings. IndiGo’s model relies on tight turns. High utilisation leaves buffers thin.
Past disruptions hit in fog seasons. November 2025 marked a spike. ALPA alleges pressure tactics on regulators. “Disruptions artificially created to influence DGCA,” ALPA President Sam Thomas said. Unions push for audits.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers prioritised normalisation. Internal memo stresses punctuality. Carrier apologised to stakeholders. Operations have historically achieved an 80 per cent on-time rate.
What’s Next: Stabilisation Efforts in Pilot Shortages IndiGo
IndiGo aims to achieve complete normalcy by February 10, 2026. Cancellations persist for 2-3 days. Reduced schedules from December 8 to aid recovery. DGCA reviews exemptions soon. Unions demand compliance proofs.
India travel chaos tests resilience. Regulators eye safety. Passengers gain from waivers. IndiGo flight cancellations highlight sector strains. Recovery hinges on hiring and rosters.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, December 5th, 2025
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