India’s largest airline cancels numerous flights, causing chaos for holiday travelers

Indias top airline suspended over 1,000 flights on Friday, marking the fourth consecutive day of major operational disruptions that have thrown the countrys airports into turmoil during the peak travel period. IndiGo, controlling roughly 60% of the domestic aviation market, has been forced to cancel numerous flights since the beginning of the week after struggling to comply with new regulations requiring longer rest periods for pilots.

The airline received temporary exemptions from the rules following the grounding of nearly all domestic flights, which left thousands of travelers stranded. The disruptions sent IndiGos stock sharply downward, while the CEO issued a public apology as videos of frustrated passengers and chaotic airport scenes spread widely online.

Industry observers noted that IndiGo not only failed to meet the new requirements but also expanded its domestic flight schedule without increasing the number of available pilots and crew. According to a veteran in aviation cited by The Indian Express, the airline had over a year to prepare for the new protocols, making the current crisis a case of "avoidable corporate negligence by a company that considers itself too big to be ignored."

Author: Sophia Brooks