New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): After nearly a week of severe turbulence in India’s aviation sector, flights operated by IndiGo began moving toward stability on Friday evening, with Delhi Airport confirming that the carrier’s schedule was “progressively improving” following mass cancellations that left thousands stranded across the country.
The disruption, which peaked on Friday with more than a thousand flights grounded in a single day, caused crowding, frayed tempers and hours-long delays at major airports. Travellers at Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru reported confusion as departure boards filled with cancellations and rescheduled flights.
FDTL Enforcement at the Heart of the Crisis
While IndiGo initially cited an assortment of routine operational hurdles, from weather fluctuations to minor technical issues, industry observers say the chaos was primarily triggered by the delayed enforcement of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) — rules designed to protect pilots from fatigue by mandating stricter duty and rest schedules.
The aviation regulator, DGCA, later clarified that the widespread cancellations were not due to the new rules themselves but due to IndiGo’s “miscalculation in planning” while incorporating them into its crew rosters.
Airports Urge Caution for Travellers
In an advisory issued late Friday, Delhi Airport reassured flyers that the airline’s services were inching back toward normal. Passengers were urged to verify their flight information before travelling to the airport, as schedules remained fluid.
IndiGo’s Leadership Responds
IndiGo’s CEO, Peter Elbers, addressed customers through a recorded message, acknowledging the depth of the crisis and offering an apology. He noted that December 5 marked the airline’s worst-hit day, with well over a thousand cancellations, and said full recovery would require several more days. He estimated regular operations would resume between December 10 and 15.
Civil Aviation Minister Points to Management Failures
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu weighed in on the situation, emphasising that the new FDTL regulations had been discussed with airlines months in advance. He noted that other carriers, including Air India and SpiceJet, had adjusted without major disturbances.
“This situation unfolded due to IndiGo’s own handling of crew management under the new norms,” he said, adding that, to ease congestion and passenger distress, the ministry temporarily relaxed certain FDTL rules specifically for IndiGo.
Temporary Exemption Sparks Safety Debate
To stabilise the airline’s crewing situation, IndiGo has been granted a one-time exemption from night-duty restrictions until February 10, 2026, allowing it additional flexibility in assigning pilots. The DGCA also withdrew a rule preventing pilot leave from being counted as weekly rest — a move expected to ease operational pressures.
But the decision has met resistance from pilot bodies. The Airlines’ Pilots Association of India warned that loosening rest mandates could compromise safety and undermine established regulatory safeguards.
Broader Concerns Over Market Concentration
IndiGo’s near-63% grip on the domestic market has reignited discussions on the fragility of India’s aviation ecosystem when a dominant carrier suffers a meltdown. The wave of cancellations prompted outrage in Parliament and forced the Centre to ensure refunds and support for affected passengers.
As IndiGo works to fully restore its schedule, the episode has underscored the delicate balance between operational efficiency, safety compliance and the challenges of managing a highly concentrated aviation market.
