India Faces Travel Disruption Amid Pilot Shortage and New Regulations

In recent weeks, air travel in India has been severely disrupted as IndiGo, the country's largest airline, cancelled approximately 3,400 flights, primarily due to a pilot shortage and failure to adapt to new government regulations regarding pilot duty and rest hours. The cancellations, which began on December 2, have left countless passengers stranded, particularly in major cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad, during a peak travel season.

IndiGo, which operates around 2,200 flights daily and holds a 65 percent market share, has faced intense scrutiny over its handling of the situation. The airline's difficulties are compounded by its significant role in connecting many smaller cities and towns across India, including Shillong, Kolhapur, and Agra, making it essential for domestic travel.

The Indian government had introduced new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations in early 2024 aimed at improving pilot working hours and fatigue management. These rules, which came into effect on November 1, sought to align Indian aviation standards more closely with international norms, reducing maximum duty hours and tightening rest requirements. However, the airline's failure to adapt to these changes has been cited as a primary cause of the ongoing crisis.

Over the past weekend, the airline faced a particularly challenging day, with approximately 1,600 flights cancelled on Friday, followed by 700 on Saturday, and around 650 on Sunday. By Monday, over 400 additional flights had been called off. In response to the widespread disruption, the government intervened by imposing a cap on domestic airfares to mitigate the financial impact on travellers.

The Federation of Indian Pilots has attributed the crisis to IndiGo's poor preparation and lack of proactive measures. Vijay Gopalan, a former Chief Financial Officer at AirAsia, highlighted the airline's "very, very lackadaisical, nonchalant attitude" towards the new regulations. The federation noted that despite having a two-year window for preparation, IndiGo adopted a hiring freeze and maintained a pilot pay freeze, which further exacerbated the issue.

The introduction of the FDTL regulations followed extensive lobbying from pilot unions and associations, including the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA). Concerns over operational safety, health risks, and the need for improved fatigue management were central to the push for these new rules. Pawan*, a commercial pilot who spoke anonymously, noted that entry into the profession requires a substantial commitment, including completing around 200 hours of flight time through a training institution. He expressed frustration with the stagnant salaries in the industry, stating that many pilots feel their earnings have not improved over the years, despite rising living costs.

Salary estimates for pilots in India vary widely, with new commercial pilot licence holders earning around 400,000 rupees ($4,400) annually, while senior captains may earn over 10 million rupees ($120,000). The pathway to becoming a captain involves accumulating flying hours and passing the Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) theoretical test.

In contrast, international regulations vary significantly. For instance, the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority mandates a minimum of 48 hours of rest within any seven-day period, while the European Union Aviation Safety Agency requires at least 36 hours of rest per week.

In the United States, flight crew members are entitled to 30 consecutive hours off during any seven-day work period, with median earnings for commercial pilots reported at $198,100 in 2024. These comparisons highlight the disparities in treatment and remuneration of pilots globally, raising questions about the sustainability of the aviation workforce in India.

As IndiGo strives to restore normal operations by December 15, the situation serves as a critical reminder of the importance of regulatory compliance and the well-being of airline staff. With travel patterns expected to continue evolving, the airline industry may need to reconsider its approach to workforce management and pilot welfare.