IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is facing a severe operational crisis that has left thousands of passengers stranded across the country. The disruption, now entering its seventh day, follows the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which regulates pilot duty hours. The airline has been accused of failing to comply with these updated norms despite being aware of them.
Since last Tuesday, over 4,500 IndiGo flights have been cancelled or rescheduled. On Monday alone, more than 400 flights were grounded, with Delhi and Bengaluru being the worst affected, each seeing over 100 cancellations. Other major cities including Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Thiruvananthapuram have also witnessed widespread disruptions. Long queues at airports and frustrated passengers trying to rebook tickets have become common scenes. Some passengers reported paying tens of thousands of rupees to arrange alternate travel after receiving no cancellation alerts.
In response to the crisis, the government has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo’s CEO and top management, demanding explanations for the mass cancellations. The Centre is considering reconstituting the airline’s board to ensure stricter compliance with aviation regulations. To safeguard passenger interests, the government has imposed fare caps on affected routes and urged the airline to expedite refunds, rescheduling, and baggage handling.
Despite the disruption, IndiGo has stated that it expects operations to stabilise by December 10, 2025, and has promised improvements in on-time performance. The Supreme Court refused to hear a PIL against the airline, noting that the government appeared to be taking timely measures. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court is scheduled to hear a related case later this week.
The crisis has highlighted weaknesses in airline operational preparedness and regulatory enforcement, and it has sparked a debate over accountability in India’s aviation sector. Passengers are urged to check flight status regularly and approach airline counters or call centres for assistance.
