IndiGo’s crew mismanagement caused airport chaos, says India’s aviation minister

India’s Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday said IndiGo’s poor crew planning under the updated flight duty time limitation (FDTL) rules led to major disruptions across India’s busiest airports. The new regulations, issued by the DGCA, were adopted smoothly by other airlines, he noted, adding that IndiGo alone struggled to adjust its rostering.

Speaking to ANI, Naidu said the ministry had to step in after days of long queues, flight delays and airport congestion. To ease the pressure, IndiGo was given temporary relief from certain FDTL requirements, but only to help restore normal operations.

He stressed that the issues did not stem from the regulations themselves. “Other airlines like Air India and SpiceJet adapted without difficulty. What we saw was mismanagement by IndiGo regarding its crew,” he said.

A four-member committee has now been set up to examine the sequence of events and identify lapses. Naidu said accountability is essential and anyone responsible will face consequences. “This cannot be brushed aside. We are taking strict action to ensure those at fault are held accountable,” he added.

For now, the ministry’s priority is to stabilise operations and support affected passengers. Officials had earlier directed IndiGo to restore normalcy within two days, but ongoing delays forced the airline to scale back its schedule to reduce airport congestion.

The minister said the government will continue to monitor the situation closely, stressing that passenger welfare and operational safety remain the top focus as normal schedules gradually return.

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has attributed the disruptions to IndiGo's "misjudgment and gap in planning" in implementing new pilot duty-hour regulations. The centre has directed airlines to implement measures to resolve the disruptions and ensure passenger refunds.

IndiGo has been granted a one-time exemption from the DGCA's pilot night duty rules until February 10, 2026. This exemption allows IndiGo to bypass stricter flight duty and rest period norms, specifically those related to night duty between 0000 and 0650 hours and to night operations. The DGCA has also withdrawn the rule that restricted airlines from counting pilot leave as weekly rest.

The exemption is aimed at stabilising IndiGo's operations and reducing passenger disruptions caused by the airline's pilot staffing crunch. However, the Airlines' Pilots Association (ALPA) of India has criticised the decision, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent and undermines established safety regulations.

India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, said the situation caused by IndiGo’s widespread delays and cancellations has started to ease, with airports expected to return to normal from tomorrow. Speaking to ANI, he said the government’s main focus is to restore smooth operations and support affected passengers as quickly as possible.

According to the minister, the backlog built up over the past two days has now been cleared. “From tomorrow, we expect no congestion and no long waits at airports. IndiGo will resume as many flights as it can immediately,” he said.

Naidu also confirmed that a committee has been set up to investigate the disruption and identify what led to the crisis. He stressed that accountability is essential. “We need to know where things went wrong and who is responsible. Action will be taken. This cannot be ignored,” he said.

The minister added that the situation is being closely monitored, including Flight Duty Time Limitations norms and scheduling practices. He said the government will ensure that all airlines strictly follow regulations and maintain proper planning to avoid such incidents in the future.

Naidu assured passengers that the ministry remains fully engaged until the situation stabilises completely, promising firm action and stronger oversight to prevent a repeat of the recent troubles.

The India government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the massive disruption at IndiGo, aiming to identify what went wrong, fix responsibility, and recommend steps to prevent a repeat of the chaos that left thousands of passengers stranded across India.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said flight schedules are expected to start stabilising by Saturday, with full normalcy likely within three days. He assured travellers that the ministry is working round the clock to ease the situation.

Airlines have been told to give accurate, frequent updates through improved online systems so passengers can track their flight status from home. In the event of cancellations, full refunds will be processed automatically. Travellers stuck due to long delays will be provided hotel accommodation arranged directly by the airlines.

The ministry said it has taken urgent, proactive steps to ease the disruption, particularly affecting IndiGo. The DGCA’s Flight Duty Time Limitations orders have been temporarily suspended to help airlines restore schedules faster, without compromising safety. Naidu said the move is meant to protect passengers, especially senior citizens, students, patients and others who depend on timely travel.

Several operational directives have also been issued to speed up the return to normal services. A 24×7 control room is now in place to monitor the situation in real time, ensure better coordination, and push for quick resolution of emerging issues.

India’s biggest airline by market share, IndiGo, is currently enduring a media maelstrom as operations suffer massive delays and cancellations across its network.

In response to delays, the airline has rolled out generous refund, cancellation, and accommodation options to passengers impacted by what is being called the worst operational challenge in its recent history.

IndiGo has announced full refunds, complimentary hotel stays, and waived cancellation fees as it struggles to bring operations back to normal.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines, especially IndiGo, to implement measures immediately to resolve the severe disruption to flight schedules and stabilise services without delay, an official statement said.

Two orders have been issued to address problems faced by the public and restore service stability, especially on IndiGo.

The order said, "It is expected: All flight schedules would stabilise and begin returning to normal midnight tonight; Full services and stability should return over the next couple of days; Passengers can track delays, if any, from home through information system installed by IndiGo and others; In the event of flight cancellation IndiGo will ensure automatic full refund for tickets."

"If passengers are stranded, they will be put up at hotels where accommodation has been booked by airlines. Special measures have been taken to ensure senior citizens are not discomfited in any manner. They will be provided with lounge access; Passengers of delayed flights will be provided with refreshments and other necessities; A 24x7 control room at the Ministry of Civil Aviation is constantly monitoring the situation on a time basis," the order further read.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the Central Government is fully alert to the woes of air passengers and is in constant consultation with all stakeholders. "Every possible measure, including rule exemptions as announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Friday, will be taken to restore schedules and ensure stability to mitigate the public's woes," the statement added.

IndiGo has issued a public apology to passengers following a full-day cancellation of all domestic flights from Delhi Airport on December 5, citing a "serious operational crisis" affecting its nationwide operations. The airline acknowledged widespread cancellations, long queues, and limited information for travellers, and said December 5 would see the "highest number of cancellations" as it reboots its systems to stabilise schedules.

Passengers are assured of automatic refunds, full waivers on cancellations and rescheduling for bookings between December 5–15, and support including hotel rooms, transport, food, and lounge access for senior citizens. IndiGo urged affected passengers not to travel to the airport and to use its website or AI assistant for updates and rebookings.

The DGCA appealed to pilot bodies for cooperation amid disruptions, noting over 500 IndiGo flights were delayed or cancelled. It warned that upcoming peak travel periods and the fog season could strain operations further, calling for industry preparedness.

IndiGo flights departing from UAE airports have been experiencing delays of 4–5 hours since last evening. IndiGo flight 6E1518 to Cochin, Kerala, scheduled to depart from RAK at 5:20 am, was cancelled, according to RAK Airport.

Travel agents have revealed that passengers can expect delays of 4–5 hours on their flights today. Airline sources have also indicated that the problem is expected to persist for the next 48 hours.

India's aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on Friday granted IndiGo a one-time exemption from pilot night duty rules after the country's largest airline cancelled hundreds of flights this week due to a pilot staffing crunch.

The regulator also withdrew the rule that restricted airlines from counting pilot leave as weekly rest, Reuters has reported.

The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) has written to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), objecting to what it calls “selective and unsafe” exemptions granted to IndiGo under Phase II of the revised Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) rules.

ALPA says the exemptions contradict earlier agreements that no operator would receive commercially motivated relaxations. The union argues that changes to night-time definitions and increased allowed landings undermine fatigue-management rules designed to protect pilots and passengers.

Call for DGCA action

The association alleges IndiGo failed to prepare adequately for the new norms despite having nearly two years and instead expanded its Winter 2025 schedule. It suggests the resulting disruptions—surfacing just 35 days after Phase II rollout—may have been engineered to pressure the government.

The letter urges the regulator to withdraw all dispensations, investigate IndiGo’s actions, and take punitive steps against the airline’s management.

Flight operations at Goa International Airport and other major hubs were severely disrupted on Friday, with over 500 IndiGo flights delayed or cancelled, leaving travellers stranded and frustrated.

Passengers reported long hours at airports without clear communication, food, or water. Many were unaware of cancellations until arrival, while alternative flights were significantly more expensive. One traveller in Ahmedabad said fares on other airlines had doubled, leaving them stranded for 10–12 hours.

At Goa International Airport, passengers expressed particular frustration. One traveller said the airline offered a replacement flight for the next day, but it was unclear if it would depart. “Our flight to Raipur has been cancelled. They offered an exchange for tomorrow, but we have to stay here for a day and were told to contact customer care,” he said.

Another passenger described chaotic conditions: “We were not informed about the cancellation. We’ve been awake since 5 am, waiting in queues for hours. They’re not even providing accommodation. Tomorrow’s flight may happen, but we have a wedding to attend. It’s a total mess…we’re really disappointed with IndiGo.”

IndiGo has cancelled all departing flights from Chennai Airport until 6 pm on Friday, sources told PTI. The decision comes amid the airline’s ongoing operational disruptions, which have already caused hundreds of cancellations across major Indian cities over the past three days.

All IndiGo flights departing from Delhi Airport on Friday have been cancelled until midnight, while operations for other carriers remain on schedule, the airport advisory stated. “IndiGo domestic flights departing from Delhi Airport on 5th December 2025 are cancelled till 23:59 hours. Operations for all other carriers remain as scheduled. Our dedicated on-ground teams are working diligently with all partners to mitigate the disruption and ensure a comfortable passenger experience,” Delhi Airport said.

IndiGo’s ongoing flight disruptions are leaving passengers stranded across India. At Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, terminals are crowded as travellers wait for updates amid widespread delays and cancellations.

More than 500 domestic IndiGo flights have been affected by ongoing operational disruptions, causing delays and cancellations across major Indian airports.

Amid ongoing operational disruptions nationwide, over 500 IndiGo flights have been delayed or cancelled, leaving travellers stranded. Passengers reported being stuck at airports for hours with limited communication, food, or water. The disruptions are attributed to staff shortages and new crew rules. Earlier advisories from Delhi Airport urged passengers to verify flight status directly with airlines.

Delhi Airport confirmed that 225 IndiGo flights, both arrivals and departures, were cancelled since the morning. Operational exemptions from certain Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) provisions for IndiGo’s A320 fleet have been sought until February 10, 2026. DGCA confirmed that corrective measures are underway and normal operations are expected to be fully restored by that date.

Flights 6E 2343, 6E 2471, and 6E 6692 from Delhi to Pune were cancelled early Friday, marking the fourth consecutive day of widespread disruption. Pune Airport has deployed extra overnight staff to manage crowds and provide assistance. The disruption is a major setback for the airline, known for its punctuality and the “IndiGo Standard Time” practice of closing gates early.

IndiGo has requested temporary exemptions from specific FDTL rules for its A320 fleet until 10 February 2026. The airline has assured the DGCA that operational stability will be restored by that date.

A DGCA review highlighted the main causes of disruption:

• Transitional challenges in implementing Phase 2 of revised FDTL norms

• Crew-planning gaps

• Seasonal winter constraints

The revised fatigue-management rules, implemented in July and November 2025, particularly affected night-time operations. IndiGo admitted misjudging crew requirements, causing 170–200 daily flight cancellations—far above normal levels.

DGCA inspections at major airports, including Delhi Terminal 1, revealed inadequate passenger-handling manpower. IndiGo has been instructed to increase staffing and strengthen passenger support services.

Disruptions also affected international flights, including routes to the UAE. Dubai Airports’ live tracker showed several-hour delays for most IndiGo flights. Passengers have been advised to monitor updates on IndiGo’s website and were provided with alternate arrangements.

Earlier, IndiGo apologised to customers, citing multiple operational challenges including technology glitches, winter schedule changes, adverse weather, congestion, and new crew rostering rules. Travellers expressed frustration online, reporting long waits and lack of communication.

India’s aviation regulator confirmed that IndiGo will scale back its schedule starting Monday to manage disruptions caused by new pilot duty hour rules. On Thursday alone, over 550 domestic and international flights were cancelled, with Bengaluru (73), Hyderabad (68), Delhi (30), and Mumbai (85) most affected.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring recovery. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu chaired a review meeting with DGCA, Ministry officials, and AAI representatives, directing:

• Urgent normalisation of operations

• Prevention of airfare hikes

• Advance passenger notifications for cancellations

• Provision of hotels and support for stranded travellers

CEO acknowledges operational turbulence
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers admitted the airline is facing severe operational challenges. He stressed that stabilising services and restoring punctuality are top priorities and apologised to passengers and stakeholders. IndiGo is coordinating with MOCA, DGCA, BCAS, AAI, and airport operators to minimise disruption and return operations to normal. Passengers are advised to check IndiGo’s flight status page before travelling.

Chaos gripped Indian airports on Thursday after IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, cancelled over 1,200 flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The carrier attributed the disruption to “unforeseen operational challenges,” including technical glitches, adverse weather, and new crew rostering rules introduced last month to enhance safety by allowing pilots and staff more rest.

Regulator steps in amid mounting frustration
India’s aviation watchdog has launched an investigation and demanded that IndiGo submit plans to resolve the ongoing disruptions, which began on Monday. Passengers vented on social media, reporting delays of up to eight hours and inadequate staff support.

Impact and mitigation
As of Wednesday, 1,232 flights had been cancelled. IndiGo said it is offering alternative travel arrangements and refunds while working to restore normal services. The disruptions were compounded by a global Airbus alert last week affecting 200 of the airline’s aircraft.

A setback for a punctual carrier
The incident represents a major blow to the no-frills airline, renowned for its punctuality, as India’s aviation sector continues to expand rapidly, hitting 500,000 daily flyers last month for the first time.