New Delhi: Days after an unprecedented operational meltdown that paralysed air travel across several major Indian airports, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday night said that IndiGo’s services were “steadily resuming”, signalling the first signs of recovery for the country’s largest airline.
The disruption—described by industry officials as one of the worst in recent years—triggered more than a thousand cancellations on Friday alone and created packed terminals, long queues and irate passengers in Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other major hubs.
What Triggered the Crisis?
IndiGo initially attributed the mass cancellations to a combination of routine technical snags, seasonal schedule adjustments and weather-related delays. However, aviation insiders pointed to something far more specific: the implementation of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL)—regulations introduced in early 2024 to ensure pilots receive adequate rest.
Although these safety norms were rolled out months ago, they had not been implemented across all carriers uniformly. When IndiGo finally began applying them fully, it appears the airline underestimated the impact on crew availability.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) later echoed this view, stating that IndiGo’s failure to plan adequately for the new rules created the domino effect that ultimately threw its network into disarray.
Airport Advisory: ‘Check Before You Leave’
Delhi Airport, in its public advisory, urged travelers to verify their flight status before heading out.
“We are glad to update that IndiGo flight operations are now steadily resuming and getting back to normalcy following the brief disruption,” the airport said, adding that it expected further improvement in the coming days.
IndiGo Chief Apologises
In a video message to customers, IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers acknowledged the severity of the crisis, noting that December 5 had been the airline’s most difficult day, with cancellations “well over 1,000”.
He said IndiGo would need several days to restore full operational stability, tentatively projecting normalcy between December 10 and 15. Elbers extended an apology to passengers who endured delays and missed connections, calling the past week “deeply challenging”.
Government Blames ‘Mismanagement’
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu attributed the chaos primarily to IndiGo’s handling of the new FDTL rules, emphasising that other carriers had adjusted without major disruption.
“Airlines were given months to prepare,” he told ANI. “The issues we’re seeing stem from IndiGo’s mismanagement of crew rosters under the new FDTL regime.”
To minimise further disruption, the ministry temporarily relaxed certain FDTL provisions for IndiGo—an unusual move aimed at helping the airline rebuild its schedule and assist stranded passengers.
Temporary Relief and Rising Concerns
IndiGo, which commands nearly 63% of India’s domestic aviation market, has been granted a one-time exemption from night-duty regulations until February 10, 2026. The DGCA also reversed a rule that prevented airlines from counting pilot leave as part of weekly rest, a change expected to ease staffing pressures.
However, the relaxation has not been welcomed by all. The Airlines’ Pilots Association of India criticised the move, arguing that loosening rest requirements compromises safety and could set a risky precedent.
A Spotlight on Market Dominance
The meltdown has reignited debate about IndiGo’s overwhelming market share and the risks of overdependence on a single airline. Passengers stranded nationwide have raised concerns in Parliament, prompting the Centre to direct airlines to ensure timely refunds and implement corrective measures.
As operations continue to stabilise, authorities and the aviation industry will be watching closely—both to see how quickly IndiGo returns to full strength and whether the crisis sparks more lasting reforms in crew management and safety compliance.
