The budget carrier has been facing an acute shortage of crew since the second phase of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation rules took effect.
Published Dec 05, 2025 | 5:29 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 05, 2025 | 5:29 PM
An IndiGo aircraft. Credit: x.com/IndiGo6E
Synopsis: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has withdrawn the clause on weekly rest from the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation rules as IndiGo’s nationwide operational meltdown entered the fourth day, with more than 550 flights cancelled on Thursday alone. The budget airline, which has been struggling with a severe crew shortage since the second phase of the FDTL rules took effect, has said that full normalisation may take until February 2026.
India’s civil aviation regulator has relaxed a key Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rule to help budget carrier IndiGo as its operational meltdown continues.
In an order issued on Friday, 5 December, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) withdrew a provision that barred airlines from substituting crew leave with weekly rest.
The order, signed by Himanshu Srivastava, Assistant Director of Operations (FSD), cited “the ongoing operational disruptions” and representations from airlines seeking short-term relief to maintain continuity of services.
On Thursday, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said he had reviewed the situation with senior officials of the Ministry and the DGCA.
“I have instructed the DGCA and concerned officials at the Ministry to keep a close watch on the network and directed IndiGo to normalize the operations at the earliest. In addition, AAI and other airport operators have also been directed to provide all the support to stranded passengers,” he wrote in a post on X.
Reviewed the operations of Indigo along with senior officials of Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA. I have instructed the DGCA and concerned officials at the Ministry to keep a close watch on the network and directed Indigo to normalize the operations at the earliest. In… pic.twitter.com/ZdqFXPOAvM
— Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu (@RamMNK) December 4, 2025
IndiGo’s nationwide flight disruptions entered the fourth day on Friday. On Thursday, more than 550 flights were cancelled across India.
The airline apologised publicly and informed the DGCA that it may take until 10 February 2026 to fully restore normal operations. It sought short-term relaxations in crew duty-time norms to manage its network.
Flight booking platforms reported that fares on several routes had surged because of the widespread cancellations. Airport authorities have advised passengers to monitor flight status closely and plan for additional travel time.
IndiGo has been facing an acute shortage of crew since the second phase of the revised FDTL rules took effect. The updated norms require:
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 5, 2025
The DGCA summoned IndiGo executives on Thursday and, a day earlier, launched a probe into the disruptions. The regulator has asked the carrier to submit a comprehensive explanation along with steps to minimise further cancellations and delays.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
