New Delhi, December 5, 2025 – The Indian aviation sector is grappling with a sustained wave of operational disruptions, with IndiGo at the epicenter of the crisis. On Friday, over 500 IndiGo flights were delayed or cancelled nationwide, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to appeal directly to the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) and individual pilots for their cooperation to stabilize operations. The regulator also announced a significant relaxation of pilot rest norms under the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) Phase II regulations, highlighting the severe operational strain faced by the country’s largest airline.

IndiGo’s Ongoing Operational Disruptions

IndiGo, which commands the largest share of domestic air travel in India, has been struggling to maintain schedules amid staff shortages, stricter enforcement of new crew rest regulations, and technical issues with its Airbus A320 fleet. According to the latest report, cancellations and delays have peaked at approximately 170–200 flights per day, far exceeding typical operational disruptions.

The ripple effect of these cancellations has been severe, affecting major hubs including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and several smaller cities. Delhi Airport alone witnessed all IndiGo departures being cancelled until midnight, although other carriers continued operations as normal. Passengers have reported long waits, repeated confusion over flight status, and difficulty retrieving checked-in luggage. Many travellers have incurred high costs rebooking on alternative airlines, with last-minute fares often exceeding ₹60,000 per seat on domestic routes.

DGCA’s Call for Pilot Cooperation

Amid these challenges, the DGCA issued a public statement on December 5, urging pilots and associations to cooperate fully in managing operational challenges. The regulator cited multiple factors contributing to the strain:

• The ongoing IndiGo disruptions
• Rising seasonal demand for air travel during the peak holiday and marriage season
• Fog and other weather-related complications expected in northern India

The DGCA highlighted the importance of coordination between pilots and airlines to minimize avoidable delays and cancellations and ensure that passenger inconvenience is reduced. The statement emphasized that pilots’ professionalism and sense of duty are critical in maintaining safe and reliable air travel during this busy period.

Temporary Relaxation of Flight Duty Norms

The DGCA also announced a significant policy change in response to operational pressures. Under the original FDTL Phase II regulations, pilots were required to observe weekly rest periods distinct from leave entitlements, a measure designed to prevent fatigue and ensure passenger safety. However, citing the ongoing operational strain and requests from airlines, the DGCA withdrew the instruction that leave cannot be substituted for weekly rest, granting temporary operational flexibility.

This decision, issued with approval from the Competent Authority, allows airlines to maintain continuity of operations by adjusting pilot duty schedules while passenger demand remains high. The DGCA clarified that these adjustments are temporary and meant to address current operational challenges, and that full compliance with FDTL regulations remains the long-term goal.

ALPA India’s Concerns

Despite the regulatory easing, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) has expressed strong objections, warning that the exemptions granted to IndiGo are selective and potentially unsafe. In a letter to the DGCA, the association argued that these dispensations:

• Contradict previous agreements with the regulator
• Compromise pilot safety
• Undermine the intent of FDTL regulations, which are designed to protect both passengers and crew

ALPA India’s objection underscores ongoing tensions between regulatory objectives, airline operational pressures, and pilot welfare. Industry experts caution that balancing safety compliance and operational continuity is a delicate task, particularly for an airline with IndiGo’s high-frequency schedule.

IndiGo’s Operational Response

IndiGo has sought temporary operational exemptions from certain FDTL provisions for its A320 fleet until February 10, 2026. The airline has assured regulators and passengers that it is implementing corrective measures to restore operational stability by that date. Measures reportedly include:

• Adjusted crew rosters and flexible scheduling
• Increased staffing for customer support
• Assistance for stranded passengers, including hotel accommodations and rescheduling waivers

The airline has also apologized publicly for the disruptions, acknowledging the difficulties faced by tens of thousands of passengers across the country.

Passenger Impact

The human cost of the crisis has been significant. Travelers have faced missed flights, disrupted holiday plans, and high rebooking costs, with some paying more than ten times the usual fare for last-minute domestic flights. Emotional distress has also been reported in sensitive cases, including passengers travelling for urgent family or ceremonial purposes, such as astih visarjan rituals.

Several reports highlighted passengers stranded with no timely information, limited food and water, and long queues at airport counters. IndiGo’s attempt to stabilize operations has been hampered by the airline’s high-utilization, red-eye-heavy network, which leaves little room for contingency in case of pilot shortages or technical glitches.

Political and Regulatory Fallout

The disruption has prompted a broader debate over India’s aviation sector, particularly the concentration of market share in the hands of a single carrier. Lawmakers and opposition leaders have criticized the “monopoly model” in domestic aviation, arguing that the crisis underscores the vulnerability of the network to operational lapses at a dominant airline.

The DGCA’s temporary relaxation of crew norms has also been scrutinized by safety experts, who warn that rolling back well-structured fatigue mitigation rules could have global regulatory repercussions. The balance between operational necessity and strict safety compliance remains a critical concern, particularly given the spotlight on India’s civil aviation following previous incidents such as the AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad.

Preparing for Peak Season

Looking ahead, the DGCA’s appeal to pilots and associations emphasizes the need for cooperation and proactive management as India enters the peak holiday, fog, and marriage travel seasons. With passenger volumes expected to rise sharply, the regulator has stressed that operational coordination is essential to prevent further disruptions and maintain confidence in the aviation sector.

Conclusion

The IndiGo crisis highlights the interconnected nature of airline operations, regulatory frameworks, and passenger expectations. A high-frequency airline with staffing shortages can create ripple effects across the entire sector, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and placing regulators in a difficult position.

While IndiGo has sought temporary relief from FDTL regulations to stabilize operations, the situation underscores the need for robust staffing policies, advance planning, and clear communication protocols. Pilots, airlines, and regulators must now collaborate closely to ensure air travel remains safe, reliable, and minimally disrupted, even during peak demand periods.

The coming days will test IndiGo’s ability to restore operational stability while maintaining passenger trust, and the DGCA’s approach will be closely watched by industry stakeholders and international aviation observers alike.