IndiGo Flight Cancellations Cause Chaos: DGCA Withdraws Pilot Rest Norms Amid Operational Disruptions

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has withdrawn the new weekly roster norm for pilots following the chaos caused by IndiGo flight cancellations at various airports. The cancellations, which have affected major hubs such as Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, have resulted in over 1,000 flights being scrapped in the past four days. IndiGo has cancelled all its flights from Delhi until midnight and from Chennai until 6 PM, citing 'unforeseen operational challenges' including minor technical glitches, winter schedule changes, congestion, and adverse weather conditions. However, aviation insiders and regulators believe that the real cause of the chaos is the implementation of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), which are designed to prevent pilot fatigue. The airline has admitted to 'misjudgment and planning gaps' in adapting to the new crew rest and duty-hour rules, which it had two years to prepare for. IndiGo's on-time performance (OTP) has fallen to a historic low of 8.5%, and the airline commands 60% of India's domestic market. The cancellations have caused widespread disruption, with over 600 flights cancelled in just 48 hours. Delhi Airport reported 135 departures and 90 arrivals cancelled, while Bengaluru Airport reported 52 arrivals and 50 departures scrapped. The chaos has left thousands of passengers stranded, highlighting the vulnerability of India's aviation sector to operational disruptions. The DGCA's decision to withdraw the pilot rest norm is seen as a temporary measure to mitigate the impact of the cancellations. However, the long-term solution lies in addressing the underlying issues related to pilot fatigue and operational planning.