IndiGo struggles as flight cancellations spark airport chaos

IndiGo has admitted to the aviation regulator that it “misjudged” the operational impact of India's new flight duty time limitations (FDTL) norms, after close to 200 of its flights were cancelled daily over the past few days due to acute pilot and crew shortages, among other factors.

- Abhishek Law & Dipali Banka

According to a statement issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday, the airline has told the regulator that planning gaps contributed to its ongoing disruptions, and it has committed to implementing corrective measures, with full operational stabilization targeted by 10 February 2026.

Till that date, India's largest airline has also sought exemptions from specific provisions of the FDTL norms, which are aimed at overhauling duty schedules, night-landing plans and weekly rest charts.

In the meantime, IndiGo will also reduce its number of daily flights starting 8 December to minimize disruption. The DGCA said the carrier has averaged 170-200 cancellations per day since late November, well above normal levels.

The development follows chaotic scenes at multiple airports on Thursday, as IndiGo struggled to manage irate travellers across airports. Protests broke out across terminals and fist fights were reported in Kolkata, prompting CISF intervention in Bengaluru and Mumbai.