IndiGo chaos deepens as hundreds of flights cancelled
India's travel disruptions intensified on Friday as IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, cancelled hundreds of flights for the fourth consecutive day, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across major airports.
The carrier, which operates over 2,000 flights daily and holds 60% of India’s aviation market, has been struggling with an acute pilot shortage after failing to adjust to newly implemented crew rostering rules that mandate longer rest periods and stricter limits on night-duty.
All IndiGo flights departing from New Delhi were cancelled, causing severe chaos during one of the busiest travel periods of the year, coinciding with school holidays and peak wedding season.
IndiGo said full normal operations are expected only by 10 February and announced it would scale back flight schedules starting 8 December to reduce further disruptions. The airline has also sought temporary relief from the new crew rest rules.
The Indian government said it is “closely monitoring” the situation, with the aviation minister expressing strong dissatisfaction over IndiGo’s handling of the crisis.
The aviation regulator blamed the chaos on “misjudgment and planning gaps” in the airline’s implementation of the new duty-time limitations. IndiGo has been instructed to immediately submit a comprehensive plan covering crew recruitment, training, roster changes, safety assessments, and other corrective measures.
Meanwhile, Indian media reported, though unverified by the BBC, that IndiGo has been granted a temporary waiver on some pilot rest requirements.
The Airline Pilots Association of India strongly criticised any relaxation of safety rules, saying such concessions compromise passenger safety and undermine the purpose of the new regulations.
Under the revised norms, pilots are entitled to more rest, and weekly night landings have been reduced from six to two.
As anger grows online, many passengers have complained about being left without updates, food, or accommodation. IndiGo has announced it will waive cancellation and rescheduling fees for travel between 5 and 15 December, and will provide hotel rooms and meals for stranded travelers.
Among those affected was Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, who wrote on social media that he was “lost for words” after missing his staff member’s wedding due to being stuck at the airport.
Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and several other major cities have urged passengers to check their flight status before traveling to the airport.
Source: BBC