India’s aviation sector faced one of its most severe operational crises in recent memory this week, as IndiGo’s flight cancellations and delays left thousands of passengers stranded across major airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and other cities. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, speaking on Friday, attributed the chaos squarely to the airline’s internal mismanagement, particularly in its handling of crew rosters following the tightening of Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules.

The disruptions, which began on December 3, snowballed into a full-scale operational meltdown, affecting over 1,600 flights and leaving passengers scrambling for alternative arrangements. In an exclusive conversation with ANI, Minister Naidu laid out the government’s response to the crisis, explained the reasons behind the mass cancellations, and underscored the measures being taken to restore normalcy at airports.

FDTL Norms and IndiGo’s Planning Gap

Flight Duty Time Limitations, introduced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in January 2024 but strictly enforced from November 1 this year, were designed to ensure adequate rest for pilots and prevent fatigue-related risks. While most airlines, including Air India and SpiceJet, adjusted seamlessly to the new regulations, IndiGo struggled to align its internal scheduling with the revised norms.

“The DGCA came up with new FDTL regulations on November 1. Other airlines adapted. What unfolded was due to mismanagement by IndiGo regarding its crew,” Naidu said. He emphasized that while the FDTL rules were critical for safety, the airline’s inability to manage its personnel rosters and operational planning caused severe disruptions for passengers.

The minister explained that IndiGo initially attempted to maintain its schedule despite staffing constraints, but delays cascaded, creating congestion at airports and further compounding the crisis. “From November, the situation could have been managed better internally. Their planning did not keep pace with the changes,” Naidu added.

Government Intervention: Temporary Exemptions and Directives

In response to the unfolding chaos, the Ministry of Civil Aviation granted IndiGo a temporary exemption from certain FDTL rules until February 10, 2026. The exemption covers night-duty restrictions and rest-hour regulations for flights operating between 12:00 AM and 6:50 AM. The DGCA also withdrew a clause that prevented airlines from counting pilot leave as part of weekly rest hours.

“We have given certain abeyance regarding FDTL norms to IndiGo to ensure normalcy,” the minister said, clarifying that the measure was necessary to stabilise the airline’s schedules and reduce passenger distress. He underscored that the temporary relaxation does not compromise the regulatory intent but provides the airline with breathing space to restructure its operations effectively.

Despite the exemptions, IndiGo faced criticism from pilots and industry associations. The Airlines’ Pilots Association of India (ALPA) expressed concern over safety risks, arguing that bypassing established duty-hour safeguards sets a worrying precedent. Naidu responded by emphasizing that passenger safety remains paramount, and the temporary measures are strictly operational in nature.

Accountability and the Inquiry Committee

Beyond immediate operational relief, the government has also moved to establish accountability for the disruptions. Naidu confirmed that a committee has been constituted to examine the breakdown in IndiGo’s operations, determine responsibility, and recommend corrective action.

“Since we have observed this only with IndiGo, we have formed a committee to inquire into all this, to establish where things went wrong and who did it wrong. We will take the necessary action — whoever was responsible for this needs to pay,” he said. The committee will scrutinize internal crew management, scheduling decisions, and contingency planning, ensuring that similar disruptions are prevented in the future.

Passenger Relief and Frontline Operations

While addressing the operational gaps, the Ministry also prioritized passenger welfare. Naidu said authorities instructed IndiGo to focus on clearing the backlog of stranded travellers, prioritizing senior citizens, differently-abled passengers, and those with urgent travel needs.

“Initially, when a lot of delays happened, we told them to take all necessary steps to ensure normalcy within two days. However, we saw delays continuing, so we directed IndiGo to cancel major operations to reduce congestion at airports,” Naidu explained. He emphasized that the temporary cancellation of flights, though inconvenient, was aimed at preventing further chaos and allowing frontline staff to manage operations more effectively.

Passengers, many of whom had been stranded for days, faced challenges ranging from missing baggage to rescheduling connecting flights. Airfares on rival airlines surged, with some round-trip tickets reportedly reaching as high as ₹90,000, reflecting the severe shortage of available seats. The minister assured that the government was monitoring fares and instructing all carriers to facilitate timely refunds for affected passengers.

The Path to Normalcy

Naidu expressed confidence that airport operations would stabilize in the coming days. “Today, we are seeing that the situation is getting better. From tomorrow, we expect normalcy in the sense that there won’t be congestion or long waiting times at the airports,” he said. The minister highlighted that coordination between the DGCA, airlines, and airport authorities is ongoing to ensure smooth functioning during the peak travel season, which coincides with winter holidays and the wedding season.

He also stressed the importance of empathetic communication by frontline staff, noting that clear guidance and assistance are critical to managing passenger expectations during such disruptions.

Broader Industry Implications

The IndiGo crisis has underscored the challenges of implementing regulatory changes in a high-volume airline while maintaining operational resilience. The minister’s assessment highlights the gap between regulatory compliance and internal operational planning. While FDTL norms are designed to enhance safety and prevent pilot fatigue, their effective implementation requires robust internal systems and contingency planning.

Naidu’s comments serve as a reminder to airlines that compliance with safety regulations is non-negotiable, but operational planning and risk management are equally critical. The committee’s findings could potentially have far-reaching implications for airline accountability and regulatory oversight in India’s aviation sector.

Conclusion

The IndiGo flight cancellations and resulting chaos this week have been a stark reminder of the complexities of airline operations under evolving regulatory frameworks. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has unequivocally placed the blame on the airline’s mismanagement while emphasizing that the government’s focus remains on passenger welfare and operational normalization.

With temporary exemptions granted to IndiGo, a committee investigating accountability, and ongoing coordination among regulators, airlines, and airport authorities, the government aims to ensure that such large-scale disruptions are prevented in the future. The incident also serves as a cautionary tale for other carriers about the critical importance of planning, flexibility, and contingency management in an increasingly complex and regulated aviation environment.

“Whoever is responsible needs to pay,” Naidu reiterated, underscoring that operational mismanagement will not be overlooked, while assuring the public that safety, service, and stability remain the top priorities of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

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