India’s travel disruptions intensified on Friday as IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, canceled hundreds of flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across the nation. The cancellations mark the fourth consecutive day of operational disruption during a peak travel season.
The airline, which controls around 60% of India’s domestic air market and operates more than 2,000 flights daily, has struggled to implement new pilot rostering rules, resulting in widespread schedule breakdowns.
All IndiGo flights from Delhi, the capital, were canceled, affecting travelers during a busy month for school holidays and weddings. The airline has warned that normal operations may not resume until 10 February 2026 and announced plans to reduce flight schedules starting 8 December to minimize further disruptions.
IndiGo has requested temporary relief from the new rules, which require pilots to take more rest hours and limit night-duty schedules. Under the revised regulations, pilots must now perform two night-time landings per week, down from six previously, to improve rest and safety.
The federal government is monitoring the situation closely. India’s aviation minister expressed “clear displeasure” over IndiGo’s handling of the crisis. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the disruptions stemmed from “misjudgment and planning gaps” in adapting to the new flight duty time rules.
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The regulator has ordered IndiGo to submit a detailed plan addressing crew recruitment, training, roster restructuring, safety assessments, and mitigation measures immediately.
Local media report that IndiGo has received some relief from the new rest rules, although this has sparked criticism from the Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPAI). The association warned that easing duty timings could “gravely compromise the safety of the flying public.”
Passengers have voiced frustration over limited information and inadequate airport support. Singapore’s High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, described the situation as “lost for words” after missing a wedding due to the cancellations. IndiGo has pledged to waive cancellation fees for travel between 5 and 15 December and provide hotels and meals for affected passengers.
Major airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities have issued advisories urging travelers to check flight statuses before traveling.