IndiGo Airlines Faces Major Disruptions with Flight Cancellations

IndiGo Airlines has issued a formal apology following significant disruptions to its flight schedule, which resulted in the cancellation of over 1,200 flights across major airports in India. The airline reported that technical glitches and operational challenges contributed to widespread delays and cancellations, affecting thousands of passengers. On Wednesday, December 3, the airline stated that it had initiated 'calibrated adjustments' to its schedules to restore normal operations.

The disruptions began on December 2, when a technical failure in the airline's check-in systems led to chaos at various airports. IndiGo's spokesperson acknowledged the situation, saying, "We recognise that IndiGo’s operations have been significantly disrupted across the network for the past two days, and we sincerely apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused."

As per a press release from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the issues stemmed from a combination of unforeseen operational challenges, including minor technology faults, seasonal schedule adjustments for winter, adverse weather conditions, and increased congestion within the aviation sector. Additionally, the airline cited changes in crew rostering regulations, known as Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), as a contributing factor. These rules limit the maximum hours that pilots and crew can work to ensure safety and prevent fatigue.

However, the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) clarified that the recent flight cancellations were not solely due to the FDTL regulations. They pointed out that other airlines effectively managed their pilot requirements, indicating that IndiGo's disruptions were due to inadequate manpower planning. The FIP stated, "All other airlines have provisioned pilots adequately and remain largely unaffected due to timely planning and preparation."

IndiGo responded by implementing measures to stabilise its operations over the next 48 hours. The airline has committed to restoring punctuality and is providing affected passengers with alternative travel arrangements or refunds as necessary. Passengers have been advised to verify their flight status through the airline’s official website before heading to the airport.

The extent of the cancellations was significant, with around 67 flights cancelled from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, 14 from Hyderabad, 19 from Bengaluru, and 32 from Mumbai. Reports indicate that other airlines, including Air India and SpiceJet, also experienced delays, likely as a ripple effect from the initial disruptions caused by the technical issues affecting the Amadeus software used for check-in operations globally.

As the DGCA conducts its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disruptions, the agency has requested IndiGo to provide detailed reports regarding the causes and plans to mitigate future disruptions. The DGCA noted in its communication, "The inconvenience caused to passengers is regretted. Travellers are advised to verify flight status through official channels before departure."

IndiGo has expressed its commitment to minimising further disruptions and ensuring that customers receive the support they need during this challenging period. The airline stated, "We deeply regret the inconvenience caused and remain fully committed to minimising disruption and supporting our customers through this period."