India’s worst aviation disruption in recent years intensified on Friday, forcing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to roll back a key pilot duty rule as IndiGo’s staff shortage spiralled into over 500 cancellations in a single day. The nationwide chaos, felt acutely by island-bound travellers dependent on limited flight options, prompted the regulator to ease restrictions to stabilise operations.
The DGCA’s emergency notification withdrew its earlier instruction that prevented airlines from clubbing leaves with weekly rest. The clause, implemented as part of revised pilot fatigue regulations, had been flagged by carriers as unworkable amid the sudden manpower crunch.
“In view of ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines… the provision has been reviewed,” the DGCA stated, announcing that the ban on substituting leave for weekly rest stands withdrawn with immediate effect. Officials said the relaxation aims to restore continuity of flight schedules while airlines address staffing imbalances.
The operational disorder exploded into a national political flashpoint, reaching Parliament as opposition MPs accused IndiGo of “monopolistic behaviour” and the government of “regulatory laxity”. The timing was particularly harsh on Andaman-bound passengers, many of whom were left stranded at mainland airports with no alternative carriers operating additional capacities.
Delhi Airport issued an unprecedented advisory on Friday afternoon, announcing that all IndiGo domestic departures from the capital stood cancelled through midnight. Other airlines continued flying as scheduled, though many saw last-minute overbookings and soaring spot fares.
The disruption is not new. IndiGo logged 1,232 cancellations in November alone, numbers that aviation watchers say signalled a deeper operational strain.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation, acknowledging the severity of the meltdown, called IndiGo’s top management for a high-level review meeting chaired by Minister Ram Mohan Naidu. Senior officials from the DGCA, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and the Civil Aviation Ministry joined the discussion.
According to officials, the minister expressed “clear displeasure” over IndiGo’s handling of the situation, emphasising that the airline had “ample preparatory time” to implement the new duty norms without collapsing schedules. He directed IndiGo to restore normal operations urgently and strictly avoid fare hikes during this period of disruption.
The airline has also been instructed to notify passengers well in advance about potential cancellations and offer necessary support – including hotel accommodation where required – to minimise hardship.
For island residents, the crisis underlines a longstanding concern: the vulnerability created by dependence on a single dominant carrier. With peak season underway and festive travel plans at risk, travellers are hoping the DGCA’s temporary relief helps stabilise India’s aviation backbone before the gridlock deepens further.
