Source The economics Times
New Delhi: IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has stated that the airline expects its widespread operational disruptions to normalize between December 10 and 15, even as the carrier continues to grapple with hundreds of cancellations and delays nationwide. The crisis, now in its fourth consecutive day, has been primarily attributed to an acute pilot and crew shortage following the full implementation of stricter new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms.
In his first public statement on the matter, CEO Elbers acknowledged the severe inconvenience caused to passengers and staff, stating, “We could not live up to [our] promise these past days and we have publicly apologised for that.”
Key Factors Behind the Chaos
The disruption has led to the cancellation of over 1,000 flights this week, grounding a significant portion of the airline’s daily schedule. IndiGo has cited a “multitude of unforeseen operational challenges,” including:
New FDTL Norms: The final phase of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) revised crew rest and duty rules, implemented in November, has sharply reduced available crew capacity, particularly for night-time operations. This has been identified as the major catalyst for the current crisis.
Planning Gaps: Aviation experts and pilot associations have alleged that the airline was unprepared for the FDTL changes, despite a two-year preparatory window, pointing to “prolonged and unorthodox lean manpower strategy.”
Compounding Factors: Minor technology glitches, adverse weather conditions, winter schedule changes, and increased congestion in the aviation system have reportedly compounded the core crew shortage issue.
Path to Recovery and Government Intervention
The airline’s on-time performance (OTP) has plummeted, forcing the Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA to intervene. IndiGo has already initiated “calibrated adjustments” to its schedules and is cutting flights to stabilize its network.
Normalisation Timeline: While Mr. Elbers projects a return to operational stability between December 10 and 15, the airline has also assured the DGCA that full, stable operations will be restored by February 10, 2026.
DGCA Action: The regulator has ordered IndiGo to submit a detailed roadmap for crew hiring, roster restructuring, and a corrective action plan. To ease the immediate crisis, the DGCA is also examining a request for temporary, targeted exemptions from certain FDTL norms until the airline’s staffing can be fully optimized.
Passenger Relief: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has mandated that IndiGo ensure automatic full refunds for cancelled flights, accommodate stranded passengers in hotels, and provide special assistance, including lounge access, to senior citizens.
Passengers are strongly advised to check their flight status on IndiGo’s website or through official notifications and not proceed to the airport if their flight has been cancelled.
