IndiGo Flight Disruptions Intensify as Indian Aviation Scrutiny Grows

India’s bustling travel season was jolted as IndiGo, the nation’s largest airline, cancelled hundreds of flights on a single day amid ongoing disruption across its network. The carrier, which carries about six in ten domestic travelers and operates more than 2,000 flights daily, says the current strain stems from staffing gaps tied to new crew rostering rules.

Thousands of passengers faced delays and cancellations as IndiGo grouped all flights from New Delhi under the disruption. The airline has signaled that full operations will take time to resume and has asked for temporary relief on the stricter rest requirements introduced for crew members.

The company plans to shrink its flight schedule from December 8 to minimize further disruption, prioritizing stability over volume during this turbulent period.

Government officials are closely watching the situation, with the aviation minister openly expressing frustration over the way IndiGo has managed the disruption. Regulators point to constructive misjudgments and planning gaps in applying the new flight-duty-time rules.

Regulatory response and required actions

The aviation regulator has directed IndiGo to present a comprehensive plan addressing crew recruitment, training, roster overhaul, safety assessments, and other mitigation measures with immediate effect. Some reports in local media suggested potential waivers or easing of certain rule interpretations to help stabilize operations, though INLIBER has not independently verified these claims.

The move has drawn sharp criticism from the Airline Pilots Association of India, which says granting relief on duty timings could undermine safety and weaken the intent of the new rules. The core change under discussion requires pilots to perform more rest periods, including two night-time landings per week, down from six under the previous framework.

Impact on travelers

December is a peak travel month in India due to school holidays and a busy wedding season, amplifying the impact of delays. IndiGo has offered to waive cancellation and rescheduling fees for bookings between December 5 and 15 and is arranging hotel accommodations and meals for affected passengers. However, many travelers have posted about insufficient real-time information and prolonged wait times at airports, fueling frustration online.

At airports across major cities like Delhi and Mumbai, authorities advised travelers to verify flight statuses before heading out, as ongoing uncertainties continued to ripple through schedules. In a notable incident, Singapore’s ambassador to India publicly voiced sympathy for stranded travelers after missing a personal event due to the delays.

Expert view

Aviation analyst Dr. Priya Kapoor says the disruptions highlight the challenge of implementing stricter duty-time policies without a clear, phased rollout. She adds that consistent communication and a credible recovery plan are essential to restore traveler confidence and operational stability.

Short summary

IndiGo faced widespread cancellations as new crew-rest rules began to bite, prompting government scrutiny and a regulator-led push for a rapid, comprehensive response plan. The airline paused most operations from early December and pledged waivers for affected travelers while arranging accommodations. Regulators and pilots’ groups remain at odds over concessions, emphasizing safety and proper deployment of new rules amid a busy travel period.

Key takeaway

Key insight: Enforcing new flight-duty-time rules without a clear, phased rollout can disrupt travel flows; a well-structured recovery plan is essential for safety and reliability. Source: BBC News