India’s largest airline, IndiGo, faced major operational disruptions on Wednesday, cancelling over 70 flights and delaying many more across major airports, including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The disruption comes just a day after several Air India flights were delayed, intensifying chaos for air travellers nationwide.

Crew Shortage Hits IndiGo Operations

IndiGo, known for its reliable and punctual low-cost model, admitted to widespread cancellations and delays. According to sources cited by PTI, the airline is experiencing an acute shortage of crew, worsened by the implementation of the second phase of Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.

In a statement, the airline said:

“We have had several unavoidable flight delays and some cancellations… due to technology issues, airport congestion, and operational requirements.”

But insiders say IndiGo’s staffing crisis has been escalating for weeks, reaching a breaking point on Tuesday and Wednesday.

What Are FDTL Norms and Why They Matter

The new FDTL norms were enforced to reduce pilot fatigue and improve flight safety.
Key changes include:

• Weekly rest period increased to 48 hours
• Night landings reduced from 6 to 2 per week

While safer for pilots, the stricter rules have significantly reduced available flying hours — hitting IndiGo the hardest due to its huge fleet size and tightly scheduled network.

On-Time Performance Takes a Massive Hit

IndiGo’s on-time performance (OTP) plunged to 35% on Tuesday, far below competitors:

• Air India: 67.2%
• Air India Express: 79.5%
• SpiceJet: 82.5%
• Akasa Air: 73.2%

The slump is significant for a carrier that previously led OTP charts for years.

Chaos at Hyderabad Airport

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) witnessed major disruptions:

• 13 IndiGo departures cancelled, including flights to Delhi and Bengaluru
• 18 incoming flights cancelled
• Long queues, confused passengers, and last-minute rebookings added to the chaos

RGIA clarified that airport operations were normal and the issues were IndiGo-specific, urging passengers to contact the airline directly.

What’s Next for IndiGo?

With over 200 weekly cancellations expected, and crew shortage likely continuing until schedules are realigned, passengers may face disruptions for several days.

The crisis highlights an urgent need for airlines to balance operational efficiency with regulatory compliance — especially in a peak travel season.