India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is grappling with one of its worst operational crises in recent years, marked by widespread cancellations, long delays, and passenger chaos across major airports.
The disruptions, triggered by revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules for pilots, have left thousands stranded and domestic airfares skyrocketing.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has stepped in with urgent measures, including a 24×7 control room, temporary regulatory exemptions, and a four-member inquiry committee tasked with identifying causes, fixing accountability, and recommending corrective steps.
On December 5 alone, over 589 flights were cancelled nationwide, with Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata among the worst affected. Passengers faced long queues and soaring fares, with Delhi–Chennai tickets touching ₹69,000.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has apologised, admitting operational failures and assuring gradual restoration of services. Meanwhile, MoCA continues to monitor the situation closely, promising relief measures such as automatic refunds, hotel stays, and enhanced assistance for vulnerable travellers.
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