IndiGo Airlines Faces Scrutiny Amid Flight Cancellation Crisis

The ongoing crisis at IndiGo Airlines has sparked significant concern among passengers and regulatory bodies alike, as the airline grapples with a drastic decline in on-time performance. Recent reports indicate that the airline's punctuality fell to a dismal 8.5% in December 2025, prompting discussions on accountability and operational practices within the company.

Former Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) M.R. Sivaraman has placed the blame for the operational disruptions squarely on the airline's board of directors. He has called for an investigation into the airline's management decisions, particularly regarding adherence to newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations aimed at ensuring adequate rest for pilots. Sivaraman remarked that independent directors failed to address critical safety issues, which could have prevented this crisis.

Captain Sam Thomas, President of the Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA India), echoed these sentiments by describing the relationship between IndiGo and its pilots as 'exploitative.' He highlighted insufficient staffing levels amid fleet expansion as a major contributor to pilot fatigue, which has been a recurring concern raised by unions. Captain Sanjay Gupta, a veteran pilot, added that the dilution of FDTL regulations has exacerbated fatigue among pilots, resulting in many resigning prematurely. The discussions emphasise the need for a reassessment of pilot rest protocols and staffing practices to ensure passenger safety.

In a report by India Today, anchor Rajdeep Sardesai examined the chaos that has unfolded amid IndiGo's flight cancellations, which have left thousands of passengers stranded across major airports, including Delhi and Chennai. Sardesai spoke with Captain Thomas, who suggested that the airline may have purposefully created an operational crisis to compel the DGCA to relax new fatigue regulations. Former Air India Executive Director Jitendra Bhargava condemned the airline's tactics, labelling the situation as an 'ugly chapter in the history of Indian aviation.' He called for the airline to take responsibility and provide timely updates to passengers about their flight statuses.

The crisis has escalated to a point where the DGCA announced the suspension of certain pilot rest norms to alleviate the operational strain on airlines. This decision followed a wave of over 1,000 flight cancellations in just four days, which has drawn the ire of affected passengers. One particularly distressing incident involved a father at Delhi airport pleading for assistance for his daughter, highlighting the emotional toll of the cancellations on families. The DGCA's notification, issued on December 5, aimed to restore operational normalcy amid widespread disruptions.

IndiGo attributed the chaos to a combination of unforeseen operational challenges, including technical issues, adjustments to the winter flight schedule, and adverse weather conditions. The airline has stated that it is working to mitigate these issues and has implemented measures to resume services as quickly as possible.

As the situation continues to unfold, passengers are left grappling with the consequences of the crisis, with many advocating for greater accountability from both IndiGo Airlines and the regulatory bodies overseeing aviation safety in India. The need for a thorough investigation into the airline's practices and the regulatory framework governing pilot rest remains critical as the industry seeks to recover from this unprecedented disruption.