IndiGo Crisis: Delhi Flights Axed as Operational Issues Persist

IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, has reached a critical juncture in an unprecedented operational crisis that has left hundreds of flights cancelled and thousands of passengers stranded. On December 5, 2025, the airline made the drastic decision to axe all domestic departures from Delhi Airport, marking the fourth consecutive day of severe disruptions.

The scale of the disruption is staggering. Industry reports indicate that over 1,000 flights have been cancelled in recent days, with major aviation hubs including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad all significantly impacted. IndiGo’s operational challenges have cascading effects across India’s aviation network, affecting business travelers, families, and connecting passengers nationwide.

In an official statement, IndiGo acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating: “We do deeply apologize and understand how difficult the past few days have been for many of you. While this will not get resolved overnight, we assure you that we will do everything in our capacity to help you in the meantime.”

The root cause centers on the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) recent Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, implemented to enhance pilot safety and fatigue management. The new regulations mandate a mandatory 48-hour weekly rest period for pilots and restrict night landings from six to two per pilot per week. These regulatory changes concluded their phase implementation on November 1, 2025.

DGCA officials attributed the disruptions to “misjudgment and planning gaps” in how IndiGo executed the new rule implementation. The airline clearly underestimated the operational complexity required to restructure crew scheduling, aircraft deployment, and flight planning under stricter parameters.

While IndiGo expects December 5 to represent the peak disruption day, the recovery timeline remains extended. The airline projects progressive operational improvement beginning December 6, with full service restoration anticipated by February 10, 2025—more than two months away.

The human cost has become increasingly visible. Footage emerged of frustrated passengers confronting IndiGo staff at airports, with some videos appearing to show aggressive behavior. While passenger frustration is understandable given cancelled plans and stranded situations, tensions have occasionally crossed professional boundaries.

Competitor airlines have moved quickly to capitalize, with SpiceJet adding additional departures to accommodate displaced IndiGo passengers. This competitive response highlights how individual airline operational failures create opportunities for rivals.

For the aviation industry, this crisis underscores the critical importance of robust operational planning when implementing regulatory changes. Effective regulatory transition requires detailed preparation, staff training, and phased implementation strategies that balance compliance with service continuity.

Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764954526228-1199