IndiGo Faces Major Disruptions: Over 70 Flights Canceled Amid Crew Shortages

IndiGo is currently facing significant operational challenges, having canceled over 70 flights due to a crew shortage. The airline's struggles have resulted in numerous delays, particularly affecting services from major airports like Bengaluru and Mumbai. The situation has been exacerbated by new Flight Duty Time Limitation regulations, which have increased rest periods and restricted night landings. As a result, IndiGo's on-time performance has plummeted, raising concerns among travelers. This article delves into the details of the disruptions and the airline's response to the ongoing crisis.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 3, 2025, 15:33 IST

Flight Cancellations and Delays Hit IndiGo

Mumbai: IndiGo has announced the cancellation of more than 70 flights, particularly affecting services from Bengaluru and Mumbai airports on Wednesday, primarily due to a shortage of crew members, according to sources.

Numerous IndiGo flights experienced delays at various airports as the airline struggled to secure enough crew for its operations.

The airline confirmed that there have been both cancellations and delays.

An IndiGo spokesperson stated, "We have encountered several unavoidable flight delays and some cancellations recently due to various factors, including technology issues, airport congestion, and operational needs."

Sources indicated that the airline has been grappling with a significant crew shortage since the introduction of the second phase of Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations, which has resulted in widespread cancellations and delays across its network.

The situation worsened on Tuesday, leading to a spike in cancellations and delays on Wednesday from various airports nationwide.

On Tuesday, IndiGo's on-time performance from six major domestic airports dropped to 35%, while competitors like Air India achieved 67.2%, Air India Express 79.5%, SpiceJet 82.5%, and Akasa Air 73.2%, as reported by the Civil Aviation Ministry.

The new FDTL regulations, which require longer weekly rest periods of 48 hours, an extension of night hours, and a reduction in the number of night landings from six to two, faced initial resistance from domestic airlines, including IndiGo and Tata Group's Air India.

However, these regulations were eventually implemented by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) following directives from the Delhi High Court, albeit after a delay of over a year and in a phased manner with some adjustments for airlines like IndiGo and Air India.

The first phase of these FDTL regulations took effect in July, while the second phase, which limits night landings to two, was enforced starting November 1.

Originally scheduled for implementation in March 2024, airlines, including IndiGo, requested a gradual rollout, citing the need for additional crew.

Currently, IndiGo operates approximately 2,100 domestic and international flights, with a substantial number scheduled during nighttime.

As of December 2, IndiGo's fleet consisted of 416 aircraft, with 366 actively in service and 50 grounded, an increase from 47 the previous month, according to the aircraft tracking website Planespotter.com.