Indian air travel severely impacted by IndiGo's cancellation of 1,000 flights due to 'operational crisis'

Air travel in India faced major disruptions for the fourth consecutive day as IndiGo canceled more than 1,000 flights, including all departures from New Delhi. The government has responded with special relief measures for the nations largest airline.

New regulations aimed at enhancing aviation safety have restricted pilot flying hours and imposed tighter limits on night operations. IndiGo admitted it had not adequately prepared for the November 1 implementation of these rules, resulting in widespread cancellations as the peak December travel season approached, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers publicly apologized to travelers, acknowledging the loss of confidence in the airlines reliability. He noted that a return to normal operations is expected between December 10 and December 15.

Following IndiGos request, Indias civil aviation authorities temporarily exempted the airline from some new regulations to help manage the crisis. The regulator called on pilots to cooperate while emphasizing the full enforcement of rest and duty rules.

Previously, IndiGo had projected a complete recovery of operations by February 10 but reported that gradual improvements could begin from Saturday. Other Indian carriers, such as Air India and Akasa, have maintained regular schedules.

On Friday alone, more than 1,000 IndiGo flights were canceled. At Delhi airport, all 235 scheduled departures were called off. Additional cancellations included 165 flights in Mumbai, 102 in Bengaluru, and 92 in Hyderabad. Airports across India saw large crowds of frustrated travelers, with social media filled with videos showing passengers, including children, waiting for hours.

IndiGos shares fell 1.2% on Friday and have dropped 9% over the week, marking the worst performance since June 2022. Opposition parties in India have demanded a parliamentary discussion on the situation.

The new pilot regulations limit night-time landings to two per week, down from six. While some provisions were temporarily suspended for IndiGo until February 10, mandatory weekly rest periods of 48 hours remain in effect. The airline is offering waivers for cancellations and booking changes for travel between December 5 and December 15 and has arranged alternative ground transport and hotel accommodations for affected passengers.

Author: Zoe Harrison