New Delhi: IndiGo’s operational turmoil showed no signs of easing on Monday as the airline cancelled 127 flights at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, marking the seventh consecutive day of severe disruptions. According to an airport source, the cancellations included 65 incoming flights and 62 departures.
The situation has drawn sharp scrutiny from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which on Sunday extended the deadline for IndiGo’s top leadership to respond to show-cause notices. CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidro Porqueras have been given until 6 p.m. on Monday to file their explanations regarding the massive operational lapses observed over the past week.
The aviation regulator had issued the notices on Saturday, stating that the large wave of cancellations indicated “serious shortcomings in planning, supervision, and resource allocation.” IndiGo had initially been asked to reply within 24 hours.
India’s largest airline by market share has come under intense pressure after thousands of travellers across the country were left stranded amid widespread flight cancellations since December 2. IndiGo has attributed the disruptions to new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) regulations, which it claims have strained pilot availability.
The airline faced criticism for remaining silent during the first few days of the meltdown. It was only on Friday—when the carrier axed a record 1,600 flights in a single day—that CEO Elbers issued a public apology. His message acknowledged large-scale cancellations but did not specify the unprecedented volume of flights affected.
The FDTL rules, mandated for all domestic carriers, were rolled out in two stages beginning July 1 and later on November 1. The updated norms mandate longer weekly rest periods for pilots, extended night-time duty parameters, and a cap of two night landings per pilot, down from the previous limit of six. These requirements had been strongly resisted by airlines, including IndiGo and Air India, before being implemented following a Delhi High Court directive.
While the regulator allowed IndiGo temporary relaxations in the second phase of the rules until February 10, the carrier has maintained that a gradual transition is necessary to meet compliance without disrupting services. The FDTL overhaul was originally scheduled for March 2024 but was delayed after airlines requested phased adoption due to the need for expanded crew strength.
As the crisis deepens, the government, the aviation regulator, and frustrated passengers await IndiGo’s formal response—one that may determine the next steps in restoring normal operations across the network.
