Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru report massive cancellations as airlines like IndiGo struggles to cope with FDTL regulations and operational glitches.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, December 4, 2025: IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is facing its third consecutive day of operational disruptions, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across major airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. The airline has cancelled more than 170 flights on Thursday alone, according to sources, citing severe crew shortages exacerbated by newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms.
Early Thursday, over 30 flights from Delhi were cancelled, while Hyderabad reported 33 cancellations. Bengaluru airport confirmed that 73 IndiGo flights were grounded, and Mumbai saw similar disruptions. Videos from multiple airports showed frustrated passengers confronting airline staff.
“Do anything but just get us a flight,” a woman shouted at the Mumbai airport, reflecting the growing tension. Another passenger described being stranded at Hyderabad airport for more than 15 hours. “We have been at Hyderabad airport from yesterday 6 PM until today 9 AM with no action taken by IndiGo regarding the Pune flight,” they tweeted, highlighting the chaos.
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IndiGo Acknowledges Disruptions
Operating roughly 2,200 flights daily, IndiGo admitted its operations were “significantly disrupted” and issued a formal apology to affected passengers. The airline cited a combination of winter-season schedule changes, minor technical glitches, adverse weather, and new crew rostering rules as compounding factors behind the cancellations.
“To contain the disruption and restore stability, we have initiated calibrated adjustments to our schedules. These measures will remain in place for the next 48 hours and allow us to normalize operations and progressively recover our punctuality,” the airline said.
A major contributor to the disruption has been the crew shortage, particularly pilots, following the introduction of revised FDTL norms in November. The rules mandate longer rest periods, limit night landings, and reduce weekly working hours—aimed at ensuring safer and more humane schedules for crew members.
WATCH | 100+ flights cancelled, passengers stranded as Indigo faces crew shortage.
Pilot and crew shortages have led to daily flight cancellations and delays of up to 10 hours. pic.twitter.com/UpLwDAZPi9
— The Tatva (@thetatvaindia) December 4, 2025
Passenger Frustration and Airport Chaos
Wednesday saw similar chaos, with Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad collectively reporting about 200 cancellations. Social media posts captured the frustration:
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“Total chaos at Hyderabad airport today — flights delayed 12+ hours. No accommodation, just constant ‘crew is coming soon’ updates for 12 hours,” one passenger tweeted.
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Another described the ordeal as “unacceptable,” blaming repeated delays and lack of assistance from airline staff.
DGCA Steps In
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has called IndiGo officials for a meeting to address the ongoing flight disruptions. According to recent data, the airline cancelled 1,232 flights in November, with 755 cancellations attributed to crew and FDTL constraints. Other cancellations were due to airport restrictions, ATC system failures, and miscellaneous operational reasons. IndiGo’s On-Time Performance (OTP) dropped sharply from 84.1% in October to 67.7% in November.
The DGCA has asked the airline to submit detailed plans to reduce cancellations and delays, emphasizing the need for passenger-centric solutions.
FDTL Norms: Safer Skies, Short-Term Disruptions
The revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules are designed to improve pilot welfare and flight safety. Key changes include:
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Increased weekly rest to 48 hours
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Limits on night hours and night landings (only two per week instead of six)
While initially opposed by domestic airlines, the DGCA implemented the new norms following Delhi High Court directives. The rules, phased in from July, were fully enforced starting November 1, coinciding with the spike in IndiGo cancellations.
Passengers are advised to check flight status in advance and remain flexible as IndiGo works to recalibrate its operations. With safety-driven crew regulations now fully in force, disruptions may persist for a short while, but authorities stress that airline compliance is crucial for long-term flight safety.
