India’s aviation faces its worst crisis: over 1,200 flight cancellations disrupt nationwide travel — why it happened, when it will end, and how to get your compensation

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In November 2025, IndiGo — India’s largest airline — faced one of the most severe operational disruptions in the nation's aviation history. More than 1,200 flights were cancelled, stranding thousands of passengers at major airports during peak travel weeks. Of these, around 750 cancellations were linked to crew shortages and rostering challenges triggered by updated regulations from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Major airports in Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru were overwhelmed by long queues and delays. Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport saw 58 IndiGo flights cancelled between December 3 and 4, and by December 4 roughly 180 flights were cancelled nationwide. The crisis cast doubt on IndiGo’s long-standing reputation for reliability.

DGCA’s new fatigue and duty rules: a catalyst for disruption

The primary cause of the cancellations lies in DGCA’s updated Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) and fatigue management guidelines. The new rules mandate longer rest periods, restrict consecutive night duties and cap maximum duty hours for flight crews.

These reforms are intended to improve air safety, ensuring crews are alert and well-rested. But IndiGo’s dense schedule, high fleet utilization and limited staffing buffers meant the airline had little flexibility to absorb these regulatory shifts, resulting in widespread cancellations.

IndiGo’s response: short-term fixes to a structural issue

The airline acknowledged the disruption, attributing it to a combination of new rostering rules, adverse weather, technical issues and airspace congestion. IndiGo said it is deploying additional standby pilots and adjusting schedules to stabilize operations.

Despite ongoing challenges, IndiGo insists the crisis is temporary and that its collaboration with regulators and airports will restore operational stability.

DGCA steps in: warnings and heightened scrutiny

DGCA expressed concern over the scale of the crisis and issued a directive requiring IndiGo to proactively address underlying operational gaps. The regulator stressed that cancellations could not be attributed solely to pilot absenteeism, pointing instead to structural weaknesses in IndiGo’s staffing and scheduling model.

DGCA warned that repeated disruptions could result in penalties, reduced slots or enhanced oversight. The regulator also highlighted the need for clear communication with passengers and robust support during cancellations.

Pilot unions raise alarm over staffing policies

Pilot associations, including the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) and ALPA India, argue that IndiGo’s lean staffing strategy left the airline vulnerable to collapse when disruptions occurred. They emphasize that airlines should demonstrate adequate staffing before seasonal schedules are approved under the new FDTL rules.

Some unions warn that IndiGo risks losing slots to more resilient carriers if systemic staffing gaps remain unresolved.

Why IndiGo was hit harder than other airlines

IndiGo operates more than 2,000 flights per day — a scale unmatched in India. This density, combined with high aircraft utilization and thin crew buffers, created an environment where even minor disruptions led to cascading cancellations across the country.

What normally ensures IndiGo’s efficiency became a critical weakness: the airline lacked contingency capacity when the new DGCA rules took effect.

How affected passengers can get compensation

IndiGo passengers impacted by cancellations or delays have the right to request refunds or rebook the next available flight. The airline is obligated under DGCA rules to provide alternative arrangements and timely communication.

Travelers should contact IndiGo support through the website, hotline or airport counters and may escalate unresolved issues to DGCA through formal complaints.

A warning for India’s fast-growing aviation sector

The IndiGo crisis highlights the fragility of India’s aviation ecosystem amid rising demand. Airlines must strengthen operational resilience by increasing staffing buffers, improving rostering systems and ensuring regulatory compliance.

According to analysts at International Investment, the IndiGo disruption is a pivotal moment for Indian aviation. It reveals that efficiency-focused models must evolve to incorporate stronger resilience and crew sustainability. Experts warn that without structural reforms — including workforce planning, regulatory coordination and investment in operational flexibility — similar crises could become recurring challenges for the world's fastest-growing aviation market.