New Delhi, December 06, 2025
IndiGo has cancelled over 400 flights on December 5 alone, amid enforcement of new pilot duty limits by India’s aviation regulator DGCA, causing widespread disruptions at major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata during the peak travel window from December 5 to December 15, 2025.
Massive Flight Cancellations and Passenger Disruptions
IndiGo’s operational turmoil has resulted in the cancellation of more than 500 flights across India’s busiest airports in recent days, primarily impacting travel during the critical winter schedule period between December 5 and December 15. Passengers have experienced long queues, extensive delays, difficulties locating luggage, and challenges with rebooking options. Airports such as Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International, and Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International are engulfed in chaos as stranded travelers grapple with the unfolding crisis.
Causes Rooted in Flight Duty Time Limitations and Schedule Mismatch
The disruptions stem largely from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) enforcement of stricter Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), which impose mandatory rest periods to regulate pilot and crew working hours. This regulatory rollout coincided with IndiGo’s expanded winter flight schedule launched on October 26, leading to a shortage of rested crew as many pilots were placed on compulsory rest simultaneously. IndiGo attributes cancellations to “a multitude of unforeseen operational challenges” driven primarily by these FDTL norms.
Regulatory Intervention and Investigation Underway
In response to the escalating situation, DGCA has temporarily suspended the FDTL orders to enable airlines to stabilize operations. Concurrently, a four-member independent panel has been constituted to probe the causes of the disruptions, assess IndiGo’s operational readiness, internal oversight, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The central government has also issued directives to all carriers amid rising airfares and passenger grievances, signaling intensified oversight and potential policy reforms.
Impact on Passengers: Waivers, Skyrocketing Fares, and Support Measures
IndiGo has announced a full waiver of cancellation and rescheduling charges for bookings during the disruption period to ease passenger distress. Nonetheless, the scarcity of available seats on other airlines has driven fares to unprecedented levels, with economy one-way tickets seeing spikes up to ₹90,000 for routes such as Kolkata to Mumbai and over ₹84,000 on Mumbai to Bhubaneswar segments. Authorities have mobilized thousands of hotel rooms and additional ground staff at affected airports to assist stranded travelers.
Public Outcry and Calls for Accountability
Social media platforms are flooded with complaints alleging poor communication, inflated pricing, and inadequate contingency planning by IndiGo. The airline faces heavy criticism for apparent operational mismanagement, especially concerning crew planning ahead of schedule expansion. Regulatory bodies and the government have come under scrutiny for perceived lapses in oversight and for permitting IndiGo’s dominant market position, which has limited competitive alternatives for passengers. Increasingly, stakeholders demand accountability measures including penalties, compensation frameworks, and systemic reforms in aviation governance.
Guidance for Travelers Amidst Continued Uncertainty
Passengers are urged to continuously verify their flight status through IndiGo’s official website or customer service channels. Taking immediate action to rebook flights utilizing the no-fee cancellation and rescheduling offer is advised. Alternatives offered by SpiceJet, Air India, Vistara, and Akasa Air should be considered, though availability remains constrained and fares elevated. Close monitoring of updates from airlines and airport authorities, particularly for travel through Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, is essential ahead of travel dates.
Broader Industry Implications and Future Outlook
This crisis exposes systemic vulnerabilities within India’s aviation sector, highlighting risks associated with over-dependence on a single carrier and gaps in regulatory preparedness for operational rule changes. The timing during a peak travel season exacerbates the economic and reputational impact on the industry. The ongoing DGCA inquiry may prompt revamped enforcement mechanisms for FDTL and compel airlines to improve planning for crew deployment and schedule robustness. Observers anticipate that lessons from this disruption will inform more resilient frameworks for India’s fast-growing domestic aviation market in the years ahead.