India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is facing one of its most severe operational crises in recent years. Flight disruptions escalated sharply on Friday as the carrier cancelled more than 400 flights nationwide and delayed hundreds more, leaving passengers stranded for hours across major airports.
The turbulence comes amid staff shortages, regulatory pressure, and an urgent request from IndiGo for temporary relief from new duty-time rules.
Chaos at Major Airports: Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad Worst Hit
According to PTI sources, disruptions intensified through the day:
- Delhi: 220+ cancellations (arrivals + departures)
- Bengaluru: 100+ flights cancelled
- Hyderabad: 90+ cancellations
- Other metros also reported additional delays and last-minute cancellations
Passengers reported long queues, overcrowded terminals, and lack of real-time information as IndiGo struggled to maintain schedules.
What Triggered This Crisis? Staff Shortage & New Duty-Hour Rules
The airline’s challenges are tied primarily to:
1. Cabin crew shortages
IndiGo has been unable to deploy adequate crew for scheduled flights, forcing large-scale cancellations.
2. New FDTL rules (Flight Duty Time Limitations)
These rules restrict night-time landings and expand mandatory rest periods for pilots. IndiGo claims these changes have disrupted rostering and scheduling on its large A320 fleet.
The airline has requested a two-month exemption from the rule limiting landings between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., asking for relief until February 10, 2026.
Regulator Steps In
The DGCA and the Civil Aviation Ministry are closely monitoring the situation. DGCA confirmed that:
- IndiGo has sought temporary relaxation of night-duty rules
- It has assured DGCA that “corrective actions are underway”
- Full operational stability is expected by February 10, 2026
Over the past few days, IndiGo has cancelled more than 1,000 flights and is planning additional cuts starting December 8.
Stock Market Reacts
As cancellations surged, IndiGo’s parent InterGlobe Aviation saw its shares fall 1% to ₹5,343.05 on the BSE. Analysts expect short-term pressure on the stock until operational clarity emerges.
What Passengers Can Expect Next
Travelers may continue to face:
- Last-minute cancellations
- Delays across A320 routes
- Reworked flight schedules
While IndiGo says the exemption is essential to “reduce passenger inconvenience,” the DGCA is still evaluating the request.
Until then, disruptions are expected to continue.
