IndiGo Accepts Its Mistake in Crew Planning!

IndiGo has finally admitted that it misjudged its crew planning under the new FDTL rules, which has caused hundreds of flight cancellations and delays across the country. Since late November, passengers have been facing long waits, confusion and last minute cancellations, mainly because the airline did not prepare enough pilots to meet the revised duty and rest requirements.

The second phase of the new FDTL rules started on November 1. These rules focus on reducing pilot fatigue, especially during night operations, and require more rest hours. IndiGo said it underestimated how many extra pilots would be needed. Because of this, the airline quickly ran short of both pilot in command and first officers, forcing it to cancel close to 200 flights a day.

The DGCA and the civil aviation minister reviewed the situation and instructed IndiGo to fix the issue without allowing ticket prices to rise. The regulator also asked the airline to submit a clear action plan with details on pilot hiring, training and updated roster management. IndiGo has now asked for time till February 10 to fully stabilise its schedules.

With more than half of India’s domestic market under its control, IndiGo’s disruptions have affected thousands of travellers. The airline has promised to cut back flights temporarily until its crew roster returns to normal.