IndiGo’s operations are gradually stabilizing following days of widespread cancellations and fare volatility that left thousands of passengers stranded. The disruption has been caused by an acute shortage of cockpit crew following the implementation of the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.
On Wednesday, IndiGo cancelled over 1,000 flights nationwide, affecting multiple routes and leaving passengers facing significant inconvenience. The situation continued on Saturday, when the airline grounded another 400 flights, compounding the disruption for travelers. Fares had skyrocketed in response to the uncertainty, as passengers scrambled to rebook tickets on major platforms.
On Friday, the airline’s on-time performance dropped sharply, with all domestic departures from Delhi cancelled for the day. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers issued a public apology, acknowledging that the airline faced its most severe disruptions on December 5 and assuring passengers that full refunds would be issued within three days.
To address the crisis, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted temporary exemptions from select rest-duty rules for pilots. This regulatory relief is aimed at enabling IndiGo to gradually restore normal scheduling while maintaining aviation safety.
As a result, ticket prices for travel next week have begun to ease on major booking platforms, offering some relief to passengers. Despite this progress, experts caution that a complete return to normal operations may take several days as the airline works to recover from the unprecedented backlog of cancelled flights.
The airline and the DGCA continue to monitor the situation closely, implementing measures to ensure passenger convenience, stabilize flight schedules, and prevent further disruptions. Passengers are advised to check flight status updates regularly and coordinate with the airline for any cancellations or rescheduling.