IndiGo Granted Waiver Amid Pilot Shortage and Flight Cancellations

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's civil aviation authority, has granted a temporary waiver to IndiGo, the country's largest airline, in response to significant operational disruptions caused by a shortage of pilots. This decision comes as IndiGo faces an unprecedented wave of flight cancellations, which has led to chaos at major airports across India.

IndiGo, which commands over 60% of India's domestic aviation market, has reported that it is unable to cope with the new pilot rest duty regulations, which were implemented in phases. The first phase commenced in June, while the second phase, which introduced stricter limitations on night operations, took effect on 1 November 2025. These regulations were designed to enhance safety but have inadvertently contributed to a crisis within the airline.

The airline has cited the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) as a significant factor in its operational challenges. The rules stipulate tighter rest requirements and impose limits on the number of landings a pilot can perform between midnight and 6 am. IndiGo's management had anticipated further delays in the implementation of these regulations, which resulted in inadequate training and recruitment of pilots. Consequently, the airline is now facing a severe pilot shortage, leading to over a thousand flight cancellations in the coming days.

An anonymous source familiar with the DGCA's decision stated, "IndiGo has been granted a temporary waiver to help them stabilise their operations. They will need to present a plan to address their immediate challenges." Critics within the airline industry have expressed concerns about IndiGo's planning and management practices, suggesting that the airline underestimated the impact of the new regulations.

The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) has previously suggested that the cancellations might be a strategic move to pressure regulators into relaxing the new rules. ALPA indicated that many airlines, including IndiGo, failed to adjust their crew rosters well in advance of the new requirements, which has exacerbated the current situation.

In an effort to mitigate the ongoing disruptions, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu convened a review meeting with IndiGo representatives. During this meeting, the airline reiterated that its current operational difficulties stem from a combination of the new FDTL norms and seasonal demands typical of the winter schedule.

Minister Naidu has also instructed the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to enhance support for affected passengers, ensuring assistance is readily available at airport terminals. Additionally, he has tasked the DGCA with monitoring ticket prices during this period to prevent unjustified fare increases.

IndiGo has formally requested specific relaxations from the FDTL regulations to ease its operational strain. The airline has acknowledged miscalculations in crew requirements and assured regulators that it is taking steps to normalise operations by 10 February 2026.

As part of the DGCA's directives, IndiGo must submit a detailed roadmap for crew recruitment, a training plan, and regular reports on its operational recovery. The DGCA will closely oversee the airline's efforts to restore stability in the coming weeks, with a particular focus on ensuring passenger safety and service reliability.