India Orders Probe into IndiGo Flight Crisis After DGCA Rolls Back Pilot Work-Hour Rules

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The Indian government has launched a high-level investigation into the IndiGo flight crisis, which has stranded thousands of passengers across the country due to mass cancellations. The inquiry, ordered by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, aims to determine accountability for the disruptions and recommend measures to prevent future problems. The probe will be led by a four-member committee, consisting of senior officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The committee will review the circumstances surrounding the cancellations, which have affected nearly 1,000 flights in just four days. In an effort to ease the pressure on IndiGo's crew rosters, the DGCA has temporarily relaxed key duty-time rules. The exemptions include night-duty requirements, rules governing duties that stretch into night hours, and the mandatory weekly rest rule for pilots. The regulator's decision is aimed at helping IndiGo recover capacity and prevent further cancellations. Passengers can expect flight schedules to return to normal by midnight, with full operations stabilising over the next few days, according to the DGCA.