IndiGo, India’s largest airline, on Friday cancelled all its departure flights from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport until midnight, citing operational disruptions linked to new flight duty norms. The cancellations add to a wider crisis, with over 1,000 IndiGo flights already cancelled or delayed across several airports since Tuesday, leaving passengers stranded and creating chaos at check-in counters nationwide.

At Chennai airport, IndiGo also cancelled all departures until 6 pm, while visuals circulating on social media showed long queues of frustrated passengers waiting at airline counters, many of whom complained of receiving little clarity regarding flight schedules.

What Is Causing the Disruptions?

The disruptions are primarily tied to the newly enforced Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, which came into effect on November 1. These rules, designed to improve crew rest and safety, have posed significant challenges for IndiGo, particularly as it attempts to implement the second phase of FDTL regulations.

Following the spike in cancellations, IndiGo held a detailed review meeting with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The aviation regulator confirmed that IndiGo requested operational variations or exemptions from specific FDTL provisions for its Airbus A320 operations until February 10, 2026, to reduce passenger inconvenience while maintaining safety standards. DGCA noted that the airline had assured it that corrective measures are underway and that “normalised and stable operations will be fully restored by February 10, 2026.”

IndiGo’s operational model—a high-frequency, high-utilisation system with numerous early-morning and late-night flights—has made it particularly vulnerable to these new rest and duty-hour restrictions. Even minor disruptions quickly cascade into widespread delays and cancellations, as observed in the past few days.

Key Provisions of the New FDTL Norms

The new FDTL rules include several measures aimed at preventing pilot fatigue and ensuring flight safety:

• Weekly Rest: Pilots must receive 48 consecutive hours of rest each week, an increase from the previous 36 hours.
• Restricted Night Landings: Pilots are limited to a maximum of two landings during night operations, defined as between midnight and 6 am.
• Consecutive Night Duties: Flight crew cannot be rostered for more than two consecutive nights with duty periods falling within night operations.

These restrictions, while safety-oriented, have caused significant operational challenges for IndiGo, particularly during periods of peak demand and winter schedule adjustments.

IndiGo’s Response and Apology

In response to the ongoing disruptions, IndiGo issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing regret to passengers and industry stakeholders. The airline stated:

“The last two days have seen widespread disruption across IndiGo’s network and operations. We extend a heartfelt apology to all our customers and industry stakeholders who have been impacted by these events.”

The statement also highlighted the airline’s efforts to stabilise operations, noting collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA), DGCA, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), Airports Authority of India (AAI), and airport operators. IndiGo said its teams are working diligently to “reduce the cascading impact of these delays and restore normalcy.”

Passenger Impact

Passengers have faced extended waiting times, uncertainty over flight schedules, and limited assistance at airports. The cancellations and delays have affected a wide range of travelers, from business commuters to families traveling during the winter holiday season. Social media posts reveal long queues at check-in counters and frustration over lack of timely communication from the airline.

Outlook

IndiGo expects to gradually normalise its operations by February 10, 2026, once adjustments to crew rostering and exemptions under the FDTL norms are fully implemented. In the meantime, the airline has advised passengers to regularly check flight status updates before leaving for the airport, make use of flexible and refundable bookings, and carry essential supplies for possible extended waiting periods.

The current situation highlights the challenges of balancing high-frequency, low-cost airline operations with stringent safety regulations. As IndiGo navigates this operational crisis, the industry is watching closely, recognising that large-scale carriers must adapt quickly to regulatory changes while maintaining passenger service standards.