NEW DELHI — India’s aviation sector experienced significant turmoil this week as IndiGo, the nation’s dominant carrier, faced massive flight disruptions following the implementation of stricter crew duty regulations. The new mandates, designed to combat pilot fatigue and enhance flight safety, have exposed critical operational vulnerabilities within the budget airline.
Across major Indian airports, scenes of passenger distress unfolded as thousands of travelers encountered canceled flights and extensive delays. Airport terminals transformed into makeshift sleeping areas with stranded passengers occupying floors while others endured hours-long queues at service counters. The communication breakdown left many without clear alternatives or compensation information.
The regulatory changes, implemented in two phases with the final segment activating in November, substantially extend mandatory rest periods and restrict night flying hours. While other carriers including Air India have adapted without major disruptions, IndiGo’s failure to adequately adjust its rostering systems has resulted in operational collapse. On Thursday alone, over 300 flights were grounded with hundreds more experiencing significant delays.
With approximately 2,300 daily flights commanding 65% of India’s domestic market, IndiGo’s operational crisis has created nationwide travel chaos. The Delhi International Airport issued an advisory confirming all domestic IndiGo flights would remain canceled until midnight Friday.
The human impact was starkly illustrated by Sajal Bose, a senior citizen whose flight from Kolkata to New Delhi was canceled merely one hour before scheduled departure. Forced to undertake a nine-hour train journey to access alternative flight options, Bose described the situation as ‘extremely irresponsible and negligent’ toward elderly passengers.
In internal communications, CEO Pieter Elbers acknowledged multiple contributing factors including technology failures, adverse weather, airport congestion, and the regulatory changes. India’s Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed the disruptions stemmed from ‘misjudgment and planning gaps’ during implementation of the second phase of new rules.
The airline has requested temporary exemptions from regulators while implementing corrective measures, projecting full operational restoration by February 10. Meanwhile, IndiGo announced plans to reduce flight operations beginning December 8 to minimize further passenger disruptions.