Indian budget airline IndiGo is addressing a series of severe operational disruptions caused by a significant crew shortage. Over 500 flights were canceled within a week, affecting travelers across multiple airports. The carrier has requested temporary relaxations from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), specifically regarding restrictions on pilots' duty hours, to mitigate the crisis and restore passenger service.
According to official statements, IndiGo expects to fully resume normal operations by February 10. The disruptions stemmed from miscalculations during the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations, which affected crew scheduling. The airline has acknowledged that its initial crew requirements were underestimated, worsening the situation, and has since made operational adjustments to cope with the crisis.
Passengers experienced cancellations, notably including several Delhi to Pune flights and cancellations at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The DGCA launched an investigation into the cause of the disruptions, and the government has convened a high-level meeting to monitor the situation. Industry groups, including the Airline Pilots’ Association of India and the Federation of Indian Pilots, accused IndiGo of insufficient resource planning and of attempting to influence regulatory relaxations. The airline has apologized for the inconvenience and is working to rectify its scheduling issues, optimize crew management, and prevent further cancellations. Despite the challenges, IndiGo remains committed to restoring full capacity and minimizing the impact on travelers.
