IndiGo, India’s largest airline, cancelled at least 150 flights on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, across major airports including Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in chaotic scenes at airports nationwide.
The operational crisis stems from the airline’s struggles to adapt to stringent new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules for crew rostering that came into effect in November, compounded by technical glitches, adverse weather, and airport congestion.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has summoned IndiGo’s senior officials to explain the unprecedented disruptions and share a mitigation plan.
IndiGo has apologised for the turmoil, initiated schedule adjustments for the next 48 hours, and is working to support affected passengers with refunds and alternative arrangements.
Pilots’ associations have criticised the preparedness and rostering practices of the airline, pointing to poor planning amid regulatory changes.
Airport Chaos and Passenger Impact
The cancellations have inflicted significant hardship on travellers across multiple cities. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport reported between 38 to 67 IndiGo flights cancelled, while Bengaluru airport saw 73 cancellations on Thursday following over 40 the previous day.
Mumbai and Hyderabad airports also faced dozens of cancellations with many flights delayed by several hours. Thousands of passengers found themselves stranded in long queues, with many left without timely information or alternative options.
Among those affected was 76-year-old Gautam Patil, travelling from Chicago, who was stranded overnight with no accommodation after a gruelling 40-hour journey. Social media platforms were flooded with videos showing frustrated families and business travellers missing crucial events.
An IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged the significant disruption, stating, “We have initiated calibrated adjustments to our schedules. These measures will remain for the next 48 hours to normalise operations and progressively recover punctuality across the network”.
Crew Rostering Conundrum and Technical Glitches
The root of the crisis lies primarily in IndiGo’s difficulty adapting to new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms that came into effect from November 1, aimed at safeguarding pilot and crew welfare by mandating up to 48 hours of weekly rest and limiting night landings to two per week.
These rules significantly increased the crew requirement for scheduling flights. Complicating matters was a recent software patch applied to IndiGo’s Airbus A320 fleet, which disrupted crew rostering and operational planning.
Weather disruptions from Cyclone Fengal further aggravated airport congestion, compounding delays and cancellations.
IndiGo’s on-time performance plummeted to 67.7% in November from 84.1% in October, with 1,232 cancellations recorded that month alone, 62% of which were tied to crew-related constraints. The airline and DGCA also cited air traffic control and airport congestion as additional factors.
DGCA has formally summoned IndiGo’s senior management, demanding detailed explanations and a plan to restore normalcy during the critical peak travel season when daily domestic passengers exceed five lakh.
Regulatory and Industry Responses
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s probe aims to scrutinize IndiGo’s operational preparedness and ensure compliance with the new regulations while minimising passenger inconvenience. Officials have expressed grave concern about the widespread disruptions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Pilot associations have voiced frustration over the airline’s failure to proactively adjust rosters despite receiving prior notices about the FDTL mandate. They argue that better planning and crew resource management could have mitigated this crisis.
Meanwhile, IndiGo has been urged to improve communication with passengers and provide timely support, including refunds and rebooking options, to restore trust.
The airline’s statement stressed a commitment to transparency and resilience, emphasising coordinated efforts to contain further disruptions.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This unfolding situation at IndiGo highlights the complex balance between operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and human factors in aviation. We recognise the critical importance of protecting crew welfare through responsible rostering and duty limitations, which ultimately benefit passenger safety.
However, airlines must be held accountable for ensuring robust contingency planning and compassionate customer service when disruptions occur. Stranded passengers need timely information, adequate amenities, and empathetic support to minimise their ordeal.
The crisis is a reminder that progress in aviation should be measured not only in volumes and profitability but also in kindness, transparency, and reliability.
Greater dialogue among regulators, airlines, crew unions, and consumer rights groups will be essential to build a more harmonious and resilient air travel ecosystem.
Amid this challenge, what solutions do you think IndiGo and regulators should prioritise to rebuild passenger trust and ensure smoother skies ahead?
