New DGCA fatigue rules slash IndiGo’s crew availability, causing 1,232 cancellations in November and over 1,000 more on December 5. Government steps in with notices, fare caps and refund orders.

IndiGo Faces Heat After Mass Cancellations Linked to New Crew Duty Norms

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is facing intense criticism after a wave of flight cancellations across the country, triggered by new DGCA crew rest regulations introduced earlier this year to curb pilot fatigue. The revised guidelines—tightening limits on flying hours and mandating longer rest periods—have sharply reduced IndiGo’s crew availability.

The airline’s staffing delays amplified the problem. IndiGo reported 1,232 cancellations in November, and the situation worsened on December 5, when shortages pushed cancellations past 1,000 in a single day.

The disruption drew swift government intervention. Officials issued notices to airline executives, imposed fare caps on affected routes, ordered immediate refunds, and opened a formal investigation into IndiGo’s preparedness and scheduling practices.

IndiGo issued an apology and offered fee waivers for stranded passengers, while ramping up hiring and roster adjustments. By December 7, the airline reported signs of operational recovery.

The crisis exposes how regulatory safety reforms—vital for addressing widespread pilot fatigue—can overwhelm airlines that lack manpower buffers or adequate planning. For travellers, the episode is a reminder that systemic staffing gaps can trigger nationwide chaos overnight. Experts suggest that IndiGo must recalibrate long-term workforce strategy, while the DGCA may need to ensure major carriers have transition plans before implementing industry-wide rule changes.