New Delhi, December 5, 2025 – India’s aviation sector witnessed an unprecedented operational crisis over the past four days, with IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, at the center of a storm that stranded thousands of passengers, disrupted holiday plans, and triggered government intervention. On December 5, the fourth consecutive day of flight disruptions, all IndiGo departures from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were cancelled, compelling the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to step in and relax new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations for pilots. The move, described as a “temporary one-time extension,” marks a rare instance of regulatory backtracking under mounting operational and public pressure.

How the Crisis Unfolded

The chaos, which began in earnest on December 2, escalated rapidly due to a combination of factors: staffing shortages, strict enforcement of new duty norms for pilots, and technical issues affecting the airline’s Airbus A320 fleet. IndiGo, which dominates the Indian aviation market, has a high-utilisation schedule with multiple early-morning and late-night flights per aircraft. As such, any disruption in crew availability has amplified consequences across the network.

While other airlines such as Air India and Akasa Air experienced minor disturbances, their smaller operations insulated them from the scale of disruption seen at IndiGo. Over the four-day period, cancellations crossed the 1,000 mark, affecting major cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, as well as smaller urban centers such as Patna, Chandigarh, and Bodh Gaya.

Passengers faced not only cancelled flights but also disorganized procedures for luggage retrieval. In some instances, travellers who had checked in their bags found themselves waiting hours for their belongings to be returned. One notable case reported on television involved a passenger being told that her flight had been cancelled, only to later receive a call from the boarding gate, giving her mere minutes to board. Such confusion underscores the operational and communication breakdowns that accompanied the crisis.

Human and Social Impact

The timing of the disruptions exacerbated the consequences for passengers. The first week of December coincides with peak holiday and wedding travel season in India. Flights cancelled unexpectedly led to missed family gatherings, postponed wedding events, and frustrated travellers scrambling to secure alternative transportation. Many reported incurring exorbitant costs to book last-minute flights on other airlines, as fares surged due to limited availability.

Civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu acknowledged the seriousness of the situation, stating on December 4 that he had “reviewed” IndiGo’s operations and instructed the DGCA and relevant officials to keep a close watch on the network. He emphasized the need to normalize operations at the earliest, but the scale of cancellations on December 5 prompted the government to intervene more directly, resulting in a partial rollback of pilot duty regulations.

The DGCA U-Turn

Under the original FDTL framework introduced on November 1, pilots were required to observe weekly rest periods distinct from leave entitlements, aiming to reduce fatigue and enhance flight safety. The regulations also imposed restrictions on night duties, particularly operations between 0000–0500 hours, to prevent crew exhaustion on late-night flights.

On December 5, however, the DGCA relaxed these provisions, allowing airlines greater flexibility to substitute leave for weekly rest and easing restrictions on night duty flights. The regulator described the changes as a temporary measure, intended to alleviate ongoing operational disruptions and prevent further cancellations. Internal DGCA communications cited requests from multiple industry stakeholders for flexibility to maintain continuity and stability in flight schedules.

In addition to revising duty rules, the DGCA issued a direct appeal to pilot associations. DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai highlighted the upcoming challenges posed by fog season, peak holiday travel, and the marriage travel season, urging pilots and associations to cooperate closely with airlines. “Passenger volumes are expected to rise sharply, and weather-related impacts may further complicate scheduling and flight safety,” the communication noted. The regulator stressed that coordination between pilots and airlines is indispensable during this period.

Reactions from Industry Experts

The move to relax FDTL regulations has drawn criticism from aviation experts, who warn of potential safety and reputational consequences. Mark Martin, a prominent aviation analyst, commented, “The government clearly succumbed to airline pressure, which is extremely unbecoming for one of Asia’s leading civil aviation regulators. Indian civil aviation is already under international scrutiny, particularly after the AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad.”

Martin emphasized that a rollback of well-structured crew fatigue rules could have global repercussions, including criticism from pilot unions, international regulators, and aviation safety watchdogs. “Flight safety and regulatory credibility must remain paramount. Relaxing norms under operational pressure sets a concerning precedent,” he added.

Root Causes of IndiGo’s Operational Collapse

IndiGo’s operational breakdown was the result of a convergence of internal and external factors. The airline has faced persistent pilot shortages, partly due to high attrition rates and training bottlenecks. The new FDTL rules, designed to reduce fatigue and align with international safety standards, restricted the number of flights pilots could operate consecutively, especially during night hours. Additionally, technical issues in the Airbus A320 fleet compounded delays and cancellations.

IndiGo acknowledged its role in the crisis, attributing the disruptions to “misjudgment and planning gaps” in adapting to new duty regulations, which it had two years to prepare for. The airline has committed to stabilizing operations and implementing measures such as waivers on rescheduling fees, hotel accommodations for stranded passengers, and increased customer support staffing.

Broader Implications

The four-day disruption has brought to light systemic vulnerabilities in India’s aviation ecosystem, particularly the risks associated with market concentration. IndiGo controls a significant share of domestic air travel, meaning operational issues at a single airline can ripple across the entire sector. The situation has sparked political debate, with opposition leaders describing the disruptions as a result of a “monopoly model” in aviation.

Moreover, the DGCA’s regulatory U-turn raises questions about the balance between operational exigencies and safety oversight. While the temporary relaxation may have mitigated cancellations in the short term, aviation safety advocates warn that such measures should not undermine long-term safety protocols, especially during peak travel periods.

Looking Ahead

As IndiGo works to stabilize its network, passengers are advised to check flight status before traveling to airports, prepare for possible delays, and utilize customer support channels for rebooking and compensation. Airlines, regulators, and pilot associations will need to coordinate closely to ensure that operational challenges do not compromise safety.

In conclusion, the events of December 2–5 highlight the delicate interplay between airline operations, regulatory frameworks, and passenger expectations. The crisis underscores the importance of advance planning, robust staffing, and flexible yet safety-conscious policies in a sector where disruptions can have immediate, wide-reaching consequences. For now, IndiGo faces the dual challenge of restoring operational stability while maintaining the trust of passengers, regulators, and the broader aviation community.