New Delhi: IndiGo has informed aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that it is putting in place all required operational, rostering and monitoring mechanisms to comply fully with the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms from February 11, 2026.
The assurance comes after a temporary exemption granted to the airline expired on Tuesday. The DGCA, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said IndiGo has confirmed it will implement the approved FDTL scheme dated October 9, 2025, once the relaxation period ends.
The revised FDTL norms primarily relate to pilot night duty time and night landings. The regulator had allowed limited exemptions until February 10 to help stabilise operations following significant disruptions in December.
Between December 3 and 5, IndiGo cancelled 2,507 flights, triggering regulatory scrutiny. The DGCA later identified over-optimisation of operations, insufficient regulatory preparedness, gaps in software systems and shortcomings in management oversight as major contributing factors. In response, the watchdog reduced the airline’s winter schedule by 10 per cent.
According to the DGCA, the exemptions were granted subject to strict conditions, including submission of hourly flight operation data and weekly or fortnightly performance reports. During this period, the regulator maintained close supervision through periodic review meetings.
DGCA officers were deployed at multiple airports to monitor passenger handling and minimise inconvenience. Additionally, Flight Operations Inspectors were stationed at IndiGo’s Operations Control Centre to enable real-time oversight of flight activities.
On January 20, the regulator stated that sustained monitoring and corrective measures had helped stabilise the airline’s operations. It also indicated that IndiGo now has adequate pilot strength to meet the revised norms without causing further disruptions.
As per figures cited by the DGCA, IndiGo has 2,400 Pilots in Command (PICs) against a requirement of 2,280, and 2,240 First Officers compared to a requirement of 2,050. The airline operates around 2,200 flights daily and saw its domestic market share fall to 59.6 per cent in December from 63.6 per cent in November amid the operational challenges.
An IndiGo spokesperson reiterated on Tuesday that the airline is maintaining an optimal pool of pilots and other staff to ensure stable operations across its network.
Following its investigation into the December disruptions, the DGCA imposed penalties amounting to ₹22.20 crore on the airline and directed it to furnish a ₹50 crore bank guarantee to ensure long-term compliance. The regulator also issued warnings to senior management over lapses in oversight and ordered the removal of the concerned Senior Vice President from operational responsibilities, seeking a detailed compliance report.
With the exemption period now over, the regulator expects full adherence to the revised FDTL norms aimed at improving pilot welfare and operational safety.
