Passengers at major hubs, including Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, encountered long queues, confusion, and increasing delays as the budget airline struggled with what it termed a “multitude of unforeseen operational challenges.” These challenges included minor technical issues, weather-related constraints, and adjustments associated with the winter schedule.
However, industry experts and subsequent official statements suggested that the primary cause was the enforcement of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) that debuted in January 2024, which the airline failed to implement effectively. Although intended to prevent crew fatigue by regulating pilot working hours, the norms had not been fully adopted by IndiGo.
Also read | IndiGo records around 190 flight cancellations across Delhi and Mumbai today
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) later linked the widespread cancellations to IndiGo’s “misjudgment and gap in planning” regarding the enforcement of the new rules.
Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi issued a notice stating that operations were gradually improving. “We are pleased to inform you that Indigo flight operations are now steadily returning to normal following the brief disruption. Please verify the status of your booking and flight before departing from home,” noted the airport.
Passenger Advisory issued at 10:15 Hours#DelhiAirport #PassengerAdvisory #DELAdvisory pic.twitter.com/jSLOf0Aifl
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 6, 2025
In a video address to customers, IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers acknowledged the severity of the crisis and cautioned that recovery would require several days. “December 5 was the most heavily affected day, with cancellations exceeding 1,000. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to our customers. It will take some time to achieve a fully normal situation, which we expect to reach between December 10 and 15,” he stated.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu clearly pointed the finger at IndiGo’s failure to manage crew deployment under the new FDTL regulations. He mentioned that the ministry had been in dialogue with airlines for months prior to the regulatory changes, and that other carriers, such as Air India and SpiceJet, had adapted without major disruption.
Also read | IndiGo meltdown: SpiceJet rises to the rescue with 30 emergency flights from Delhi and Mumbai
In an interview with ANI, Naidu stated that the government had temporarily relaxed compliance requirements for IndiGo to facilitate a return to normal operations and assist stranded passengers. “However, what transpired was due to IndiGo’s mismanagement regarding its crew. We have granted some leeway concerning FDTL norms to ensure a return to normalcy,” he said.
As flights begin to return to their schedules, authorities have urged passengers to check for updates before heading to airports, as residual delays may persist over the weekend.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
First Published: Dec 6, 2025 11:15 AM IST
