India’s largest airline, IndiGo, suffered a massive operational breakdown this week as more than 550 domestic and international flights were cancelled. The disruption began after the introduction of new crew duty regulations severely impacted the airline’s roster planning and exposed significant staffing gaps.
The carrier has assured the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that full operational stability will return by 10 February 2026, but flight disruptions are expected to continue for a few more days.
Mass Cancellations Hit Major Airports Across India
IndiGo’s biggest hubs were the hardest hit. On Thursday alone, cancellations included:
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Delhi: 95 flights
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Mumbai: 85 flights
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Hyderabad: 70 flights
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Bengaluru: 50 flights
The crisis intensified on Friday, with 225 IndiGo flights cancelled at Delhi Airport in a single day. As crowds grew, several airports deployed additional staff to manage long queues and assist stranded passengers.
Delhi Airport also issued a public advisory urging travellers to check their flight status before leaving home, given the widespread delays and cancellations. Pune Airport and others followed suit, warning of extended disruptions.
Crew Duty Rules, Miscalculations and Weather Woes Trigger Chaos
A DGCA audit revealed that IndiGo struggled to implement the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL)—rules designed to curb pilot fatigue. The airline admitted it had underestimated the number of crew members needed under the new system, resulting in 170–200 flight cancellations daily.
Winter fog, manpower shortages at terminals, and cascading delays worsened the situation, creating one of the largest disruptions in IndiGo’s history.
To ease the crisis, IndiGo has requested temporary exemption from the new FDTL rules for its A320 fleet until February 2026, saying it will help stabilise operations.
International routes were also affected. Several UAE-bound flights, particularly from Delhi to Dubai, saw delays of up to six hours.
The DGCA has ordered IndiGo to submit a comprehensive recovery plan covering:
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Accelerated crew recruitment
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Roster restructuring
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Updated training schedules
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Safety and compliance checks
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Regular progress updates
India’s aviation ministry has directed the airline to restore normal operations quickly, prevent unfair fare hikes, and provide accommodation and timely assistance to stranded passengers.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers apologised to travellers, acknowledging the airline is facing “severe operational turbulence” and promising rapid improvements in punctuality and service.
