IndiGo Flight Chaos Eases as DGCA Issues Emergency Orders to Stabilize Operations
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued urgent directives to stabilize IndiGo's operations after four days of massive flight cancellations left thousands of passengers stranded. The regulator has granted exemptions to ease roster pressures and restore flight schedules, which are expected to return to normal by midnight. The DGCA's latest orders follow its decision to temporarily roll back portions of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) introduced on November 1. The regulator has exempted IndiGo's A320 fleet from night-duty provisions and rules covering duties that extend into night hours, and has also withdrawn the weekly rest requirement for pilots. The ministry of civil aviation is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed airlines, particularly IndiGo, to take immediate steps to stabilize services. IndiGo has cancelled over 1,000 flights in the past four days, severely impacting major hubs such as Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. The DGCA's decision to grant exemptions was prompted by ongoing operational disruptions and repeated requests from the industry seeking flexibility to stabilize schedules. IndiGo has acknowledged that the chaos was caused mainly by Phase-II of the revised FDTL rules, admitting that crew planning and rostering were insufficient to meet the new requirements. The regulator has assured that every possible measure will be taken to restore schedules and ensure stability. The central government is fully alert to air passenger woes and is in constant consultation with all stakeholders. With full operations expected to resume over the next few days, passengers can look forward to a return to normalcy in the coming hours.
