IndiGo Faces Flight Cancellations: DGCA Eases Pilot Duty Regulations
Regulatory Changes Amidst Flight Disruptions
New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has relaxed certain pilot duty regulations effective immediately, following a significant staffing shortage at IndiGo that led to numerous flight cancellations nationwide.
To address the escalating crisis, the aviation authority issued a notification that modifies existing pilot duty rules, specifically lifting a restriction that prevented airlines from combining leave with weekly rest periods.
In light of ongoing operational challenges and feedback from various airlines about the necessity for stable operations, the DGCA has decided to revise its previous directive stating that 'no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest.'
Consequently, the rule prohibiting the substitution of leave for weekly rest has been rescinded immediately.
The impact of IndiGo's cancellation of nearly 500 flights was felt in Parliament, where opposition members criticized the airline for alleged monopolistic behavior and accused the government of regulatory negligence.
Earlier, a new advisory from Delhi Airport confirmed that all IndiGo domestic flights scheduled to depart from the airport were canceled until midnight.
"IndiGo domestic flights leaving from Delhi Airport on December 5, 2025, are canceled until midnight today (23:59 hours). Flights for all other airlines will proceed as planned," the advisory stated.
In November alone, IndiGo experienced 1,232 cancellations across its entire network.
The government is actively monitoring IndiGo's recovery efforts and passenger assistance initiatives until full operational stability is restored.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken a serious stance regarding the recent operational disruptions and flight cancellations affecting IndiGo. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu convened a high-level review meeting with IndiGo's senior management, alongside the Secretary of Civil Aviation, the DGCA, and senior officials from the Ministry and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
Minister Naidu expressed dissatisfaction with how the airline has managed the situation, emphasizing that sufficient preparation time was available to adapt to the new regulatory requirements.
He further instructed IndiGo to expedite the normalization of operations and ensure that airfares do not rise as a result of the current circumstances. Additionally, he mandated that the airline proactively notify passengers of any potential cancellations in advance and provide necessary accommodations, such as hotel stays, to minimize inconvenience.