IndiGo Faces Nationwide Airport Chaos Amid Extensive Flight Cancellations and Delays

IndiGo is currently grappling with widespread flight disruptions across India, leading to significant chaos at major airports including Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or delayed, leaving thousands of passengers stranded for extended periods.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has summoned IndiGo officials to address the crisis and ascertain mitigation plans. Initial investigations, according to DGCA sources, indicate a primary cause for the disruption is a severe shortage of crew.

While IndiGo cited technical glitches, weather issues, and Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), the pilot body has criticised the airline, suggesting it failed to adequately prepare for FDTL regulations over the past two years and chose not to recruit pilots from other carriers.

Reports from Bengaluru highlight similar issues, with 62 flights delayed today following 70 yesterday, attributed to stricter aviation ministry rules affecting crew availability and some software updates. Passengers have reported being told there is "no pilot" for scheduled flights. The aviation sector anticipates continued disruption for the next 24 to 48 hours as IndiGo addresses these operational challenges.