IndiGo Flight Chaos Deepens: Over 1,200 Flights Cancelled Nationwide Amid Acute Crew Shortage & New Safety Rules
Hyderabad, December 4, 2025:
India’s largest carrier IndiGo is grappling with one of its worst-ever operational breakdowns, with more than 1,232 flights cancelled nationwide over the past three days. The meltdown, triggered primarily by a severe pilot shortage following the enforcement of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, has caused massive disruptions across major airports and left thousands of passengers stranded.
The crisis, which began on Tuesday, intensified sharply by Thursday, plunging IndiGo’s operations into disarray and sparking widespread public anger, viral videos of chaos at terminals, and mounting pressure from aviation authorities.
Cancellation Wave Hits Major Airports
Airport officials and aviation data reveal:
- Thursday alone: Over 175 cancellations
- Wednesday: At least 150 cancellations
- Total (3 days): 1,232 flights affected
City-wise impact (Thursday):
- Hyderabad (RGIA): 68 cancellations (35 arrivals, 33 departures)
- Bengaluru: 73 cancellations
- Mumbai: 86 cancellations
- Delhi: Over 30 and rising
The disruptions severely affected:
- Sabarimala pilgrims connecting via Hyderabad
- Business travellers in Mumbai and Delhi
- Students and medical travellers left stranded across multiple hubs
IndiGo’s on-time performance plunged to just 19.7% across six major airports on Wednesday — one of the lowest in the airline’s history.
Why the Meltdown? New Safety Rules + Crew Shortage
IndiGo has blamed a combination of factors:
- Technical and maintenance issues
- Congested airports
- Restricted airspace
- ATC delays
But industry insiders point to the new DGCA FDTL norms, implemented from November 1, as the primary trigger.
Key changes under the new rules:
- Weekly rest for pilots increased from 36 to 48 hours
- Night landings restricted to 2 per week (reduced from 6)
- Stricter oversight on pilot fatigue and duty hours
While the rules were introduced to enhance flight safety, they dramatically reduced available crew hours, especially for India’s busiest airline.
Pilot Association Hits Back
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) blamed the airline for failing to recruit adequately despite a two-year preparation window.
Breakdown of cancellations (as per FIP data):
- 755 – Crew shortages
- 258 – Airspace limitations
- 92 – ATC systems failures
Total: 1,232 flights affected so far
A senior pilot, requesting anonymity, remarked:
“IndiGo kept expanding aggressively but froze pilot hiring at a critical time. The new rules simply exposed the gap.”
IndiGo Issues Apology, Promises Fix in 48 Hours
IndiGo issued a public apology stating:
“We acknowledge the significant disruption to our operations caused by unforeseen operational challenges. Our teams are working round-the-clock to stabilize schedules.”
The airline assured:
- Full refunds
- Free rescheduling
- Alternative arrangements on partner airlines
- Temporary reduction of flights to ease pressure
However, with holiday travel around the corner, aviation experts warn that recovery could take longer than expected.
IndiGo’s stock reflected the turbulence, slipping 2.25% to ₹5,466.55 on Thursday.
DGCA Steps In, Seeks Explanation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched a full investigation and summoned IndiGo’s senior management for:
- A detailed explanation of the cancellations
- A revised pilot roster plan
- A timeline for complete recovery
- Clarification on alleged hiring lapses
The regulator has also asked other airlines including Air India, Vistara, Akasa, and SpiceJet to accommodate stranded passengers wherever possible.
A DGCA official told media:
“Passenger inconvenience at this scale is unacceptable. Safety is non-negotiable, but airlines must ensure adequate staffing.”
Airports Witness Unprecedented Scenes
Terminal footage shows:
- Passengers arguing with ground staff
- Long queues at check-in counters
- Travellers waiting 10–12 hours for updates
- Dozens sleeping on airport floors
- Missed international connections
- Complaints of unresponsive customer service
Several passengers took to social media alleging:
- Last-minute cancellations
- No hotel or meal vouchers
- Miscommunication from staff
- Children and elderly stranded without assistance
Industry Experts Warn of Hard Lessons
Aviation analysts say the fiasco highlights deeper industry-wide issues:
- Overdependence on tight crew schedules
- Rapid fleet expansion without manpower parallel growth
- Fatigue management challenges
- Infrastructure stress at metro airports
With India projected to become the world’s third-largest aviation market in the next few years, experts urge airlines to prioritise:
- Larger pilot pipelines
- Better rostering technology
- Mandatory fatigue monitoring tools
- Balanced flight scheduling during peak seasons
What Passengers Should Do Now
Travellers are advised to:
- Check flight status frequently
- Arrive early at airports
- Track rebooking options
- Consider alternatives like Air India, Akasa, Vistara
- Keep bookings flexible for the next few days
