DGCA Eases Pilot Duty Rules After IndiGo Crisis Grounds Hundreds of Flights Nationwide
India’s aviation regulator on Friday stepped in with emergency measures after IndiGo’s unprecedented staff shortage triggered nearly 500 flight cancellations across the country, sparking widespread disruption and intense criticism in Parliament.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), in an urgent notification, relaxed a key provision of pilot duty-time limitations that previously barred airlines from clubbing leave with weekly rest periods. The regulator said the relaxation was necessary to ensure “continuity and stability of operations” amid the mounting crisis.
The DGCA stated that its earlier instruction — “no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest” — has been withdrawn with immediate effect, offering temporary operational relief to carriers struggling with roster shortages.
The crisis escalated through the day, prompting Delhi Airport to issue a fresh advisory declaring that all IndiGo domestic departures from Delhi were cancelled until midnight. Thousands of passengers were left stranded nationwide, with long queues, confusion, and repeated postponements dominating major airports.
Opposition MPs raised the matter in Parliament, accusing IndiGo of “monopolistic practices” and the Centre of “regulatory laxity”. The incident comes after IndiGo recorded 1,232 cancellations in November alone, raising questions about internal workforce management and preparedness.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation convened a high-level meeting chaired by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, attended by IndiGo’s top leadership, DGCA officials, the Civil Aviation Secretary, and Airports Authority of India representatives. Naidu expressed “clear displeasure” at how IndiGo had handled the situation, stating that the airline had sufficient lead time to transition to the new duty-time regulations.
The minister directed IndiGo to restore normal operations “on an urgent basis” and made it clear that airfare hikes would not be tolerated. He also instructed the airline to proactively alert passengers of any cancellations and provide full support, including hotel accommodation where required.
The government said it is closely monitoring IndiGo’s recovery plan and passenger support measures until stability is restored.
Friday’s developments underline the fragility within India’s aviation ecosystem, where staffing shortages, rising travel demand, and evolving safety regulations have created operational pressure points. While the DGCA’s relaxation may temporarily ease the burden, experts indicate that sustainable long-term solutions will require improvements in workforce planning, training, and management oversight.
Our Final Thoughts
The latest IndiGo disruption exposes deeper structural gaps in India’s aviation sector — where rapid expansion has outpaced operational capacity. While DGCA’s intervention offers immediate relief, the crisis signals the need for stronger forecasting, tighter regulatory alignment, and more transparent communication from airlines. As air travel becomes central to India’s economic growth, ensuring reliability and passenger trust must remain top priority.