IndiGo, India's largest airline, experienced widespread flight disruptions affecting passengers across the country. Hundreds of flights were canceled on Friday, following three days of network disturbances.
IndiGo announced that full operational normalcy is expected by February 10. The airline has requested temporary relief from new regulations concerning pilot rest hours and restricted night-duty.
Operational Impact
Thousands of passengers were impacted during a busy travel period, including the cancellation of all IndiGo flights from Delhi. IndiGo, which holds a 60% market share in India and operates over 2,000 flights daily, faced these challenges due to pilot shortages. The airline did not adapt to new crew rostering rules effectively.
IndiGo stated it would reduce flight operations from December 8 to minimize further disruptions.
Government and Regulatory Response
India's federal aviation minister expressed dissatisfaction with IndiGo's handling of the situation, and the government is monitoring developments. The aviation regulator attributed the disruptions primarily to "misjudgment and planning gaps" in the implementation of new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) rules. The regulator has instructed IndiGo to submit a comprehensive plan addressing:
- Crew recruitment
- Training programs
- Roster restructuring
- Safety-risk assessments
- Other mitigation measures
Industry Criticism
The Airline Pilots Association of India criticized any potential relief for IndiGo regarding duty timings. They stated that such relief would undermine the intent of the new regulations and could compromise the safety of the flying public.
New FDTL Rules
The revised FDTL rules provide pilots with increased rest periods. A significant change includes reducing mandatory night-time landings from six to two per week.
Passenger and Airport Advisories
Passengers reported issues on social media, citing a lack of updated information and being stranded at airports without food. Simon Wong, Singapore's High Commissioner to India, was among those affected at the airport, missing a staff member's wedding.
Major airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities have advised passengers to verify their flight status before traveling to the airport.