Explainer: IndiGo Cancels Over 550 Flights Amid Crew Shortage Crisis and Safety Rule Chaos

India's largest carrier IndiGo is grappling with its worst operational crisis in recent memory, has cancelled over 550 flights since Tuesday with hundreds more delayed across major airports. The meltdown has left thousands of passengers stranded and sparked urgent regulatory intervention, exposing serious planning failures at the heart of India's dominant airline.

The chaos stems primarily from acute crew shortages triggered by the implementation of stricter Flight Duty Time Limitations regulations. These safety rules, mandated by the Delhi High Court and enforced from November 1, restricted pilots to just two night landings instead of the previous six whilst extending mandatory rest periods to combat fatigue. IndiGo, which operates approximately 2,100 daily flights with significant night-time operations, has admitted to "misjudgement and planning gaps" in adapting to the new requirements. With IndiGo accounting for roughly 65% of India’s domestic market, the impact has begun spilling over to other carriers.

The airline severely underestimated the additional crew needed under Phase-2 FDTL norms, despite having nearly two years to prepare since the regulations were first announced. Pilot associations have accused IndiGo of prioritising profits over adequate staffing, noting the carrier continued aggressive expansion whilst failing to hire sufficient pilots to meet the stricter duty limits.

The operational impact has been devastating. IndiGo's on-time performance collapsed from 84.1% in October to just 19.7% on Wednesday at six key domestic airports. Delhi saw at least 33 cancellations, Mumbai 85, and Bengaluru 73 in a single morning. In November alone, IndiGo cancelled 1,232 flights, with 755 directly attributed to crew and FDTL constraints. Social media erupted with videos of irate passengers confronting airline staff at chaotic airport terminals.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has launched an investigation, demanding explanations and remedial plans from IndiGo. In a controversial move, DGCA has granted temporary relief by partially relaxing FDTL rules until February 10, allowing pilots to undertake up to six night landings rather than two. However, the Airline Pilots' Association of India has condemned these exemptions as "selective and unsafe", warning they compromise passenger safety to bail out poor corporate planning.

IndiGo has announced calibrated schedule adjustments over 48 hours to stabilise operations, though further cancellations are expected for two to three days. The airline aims for full normalisation by February 10, 2026, but the crisis has severely damaged its reputation for reliability. The debacle raises troubling questions about operational oversight and regulatory enforcement as India's aviation sector continues its rapid expansion, with passenger safety caught between commercial pressures and adequate rest requirements for fatigued crews.