IndiGo Flight Chaos Persists for Fifth Day Amid Pilot Backlash Over DGCA's Relaxed Rules

New Delhi: Disruptions at IndiGo continued unabated on Saturday, marking the fifth straight day of widespread cancellations, even as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) eased flight duty time limit (FDTL) restrictions just a day earlier. Over 200 flights were axed from key hubs in Delhi and Mumbai, stranding thousands of passengers and amplifying scrutiny on India's largest carrier.

According to reports, Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport saw 109 IndiGo flights grounded – comprising 51 arrivals and 58 departures – while Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport recorded 106 cancellations, including 54 departures and 52 arrivals. The airline's troubles snowballed from earlier this week, with more than 1,000 flights scrapped nationwide on Friday alone.

In a belated address, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers broke his three-day silence with a video apology on Friday, expressing regret for the "major inconvenience" inflicted on travellers. He projected fewer than 1,000 flights operating on Saturday, signalling a partial recovery but underscoring the depth of the crisis.

The turmoil stems from a severe crew shortage, exacerbated by stringent FDTL norms introduced in January 2024 and enforced in phases despite fierce opposition from airlines. IndiGo, partially owned by Rahul Bhatia, was among the first to challenge the rules, citing the need for time to recruit additional pilots. The latest updates – mandating 48-hour weekly rest, longer night duty definitions, and capping night landings at two per pilot (down from six) – took effect on November 1 following a Delhi High Court order. Originally slated for March 2024, the rollout faced repeated delays.

On Friday, the DGCA offered IndiGo temporary leniency by reverting the night duty window to midnight-5 a.m. (from midnight-6 a.m.) and permitting up to six night landings again, alongside other concessions. However, this move has ignited fury from the Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA), which branded it "selective and unsafe," accusing the regulator of eroding industry-wide standards and endangering millions of flyers.

In a strongly worded statement, ALPA decried the DGCA's actions as a breach of "regulatory parity" and a direct defiance of the High Court's fatigue-mitigation mandates, grounded in aviation science. The association highlighted a December 5 meeting with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, where officials opted to suspend the revised FDTL circular's enforcement. "This not only flouts judicial authority but also exposes pilots and passengers to greater fatigue risks," ALPA warned, calling on the ministry to prioritise safety over business interests.

The standoff has laid bare deeper fissures in India's aviation sector, with experts pointing to chronic pilot shortages, aggressive expansion, and lax oversight as root causes. As IndiGo grapples with the fallout, the government faces mounting pressure to reconcile operational demands with unyielding safety protocols. Travellers are advised to check flight statuses in real-time and explore alternatives amid the ongoing mayhem.

Also Read: IndiGo's Flight Chaos: Why Tickets Are Still On Sale Amid Mass Cancellations and Skyrocketing Fares