India's largest carrier, IndiGo, has been plunged into a major operational crisis, forced to cancel over 150 flights in a single day (Wednesday, December 3, 2025) and delay hundreds more. The widespread disruption, which has led to chaos and passenger distress at major airports, is primarily being attributed to an acute crew shortage following the full implementation of new, stricter pilot rest and duty norms.
The Root Cause: Stricter FDTL Norms
The core issue stems from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, the second and more restrictive phase of which took effect on November 1. These regulations, mandated by a Delhi High Court directive to combat pilot fatigue and enhance safety, have significantly altered crew rostering requirements:
- Increased Weekly Rest: The mandatory weekly rest period for pilots has been increased from 36 hours to 48 hours.
- Limited Night Operations: The number of permissible night landings for a pilot has been reduced drastically from six to just two.
- Extended Night Hours: The defined night-duty period has been extended, further constraining operational time.
IndiGo, known for its high-frequency, low-cost model that relies heavily on high aircraft and crew utilisation—especially for late-night flights—has been hit harder than its competitors by these safety-focused rules.
The Impact: Cancellations and Collapsed Punctuality
The carrier’s failure to adequately staff up in anticipation of the new norms has created a severe pilot crunch. Even minor operational issues, like technical glitches or adverse weather, are now cascading into massive network-wide disruptions.
- Mass Grounding: Reports suggest over 150 flights were cancelled on Wednesday, following more than 130 on Tuesday, impacting thousands of passengers across hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
- On-Time Performance Plunge: The airline's notorious punctuality has plummeted, with its On-Time Performance (OTP) at six key airports dropping to a mere 35% on Tuesday, compared to its typical 80%+ performance.
- DGCA Investigation: The aviation regulator has taken serious note of the crisis, asking IndiGo to report immediately with a detailed explanation for the mass cancellations and a concrete mitigation plan to stabilize operations.
Airline's Response and Pilot Association Criticism
IndiGo has issued an apology, acknowledging the "significant disruption" and citing a "multitude of unforeseen operational challenges" including technology glitches, weather, congestion, and the new FDTL rules. The airline has initiated "calibrated adjustments" to its schedule for the next 48 hours—implying further temporary cancellations and re-scheduling—to restore stability.
However, pilot associations have been quick to criticize the airline, pointing to a "failure of proactive resource planning." They argue that IndiGo had sufficient notice to hire and train the necessary pilots but maintained a "lean manpower strategy," resulting in the current operational crisis.
