India's travel chaos has worsened after the country's largest airline IndiGo cancelled hundreds of scheduled flights on Friday after three days of widespread disruption across its network. The carrier, which has a 60% market share in India and operates more than 2,000 flights a day, has been facing pilot shortages due to its failure to adapt to new crew rostering rules.
Thousands of passengers are stranded across India during this busy travel season, with all IndiGo flights from Delhi cancelled. IndiGo has stated that operations will return to full normalcy only by February 10 and has requested temporary relief from the regulations that mandate more rest hours and restrict night-duty.
The airline also announced it would reduce flights from December 8 to minimize further disruptions. The government is closely monitoring the situation, with the federal aviation minister expressing clear displeasure over how the airline has managed the crisis. According to India's aviation regulator, the disruptions stemmed from 'misjudgment and planning gaps' in adapting to new operational rules.
IndiGo has been directed to submit a detailed plan addressing crew recruitment, training, and safety assessments. Reports indicate that the airline may have received a waiver from some pilot rest rules, although the Airline Pilots Association of India has warned that any easing of regulations undermines safety.
December, characterized by school holidays and a peak wedding season, has seen IndiGo offer waivers for cancellation requests and accommodations for disrupted passengers. Despite these efforts, social media is filled with complaints regarding a lack of communication and support for stranded travelers, with even diplomats like Singapore's High Commissioner to India sharing their frustrations.
Major airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities have advised passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
Thousands of passengers are stranded across India during this busy travel season, with all IndiGo flights from Delhi cancelled. IndiGo has stated that operations will return to full normalcy only by February 10 and has requested temporary relief from the regulations that mandate more rest hours and restrict night-duty.
The airline also announced it would reduce flights from December 8 to minimize further disruptions. The government is closely monitoring the situation, with the federal aviation minister expressing clear displeasure over how the airline has managed the crisis. According to India's aviation regulator, the disruptions stemmed from 'misjudgment and planning gaps' in adapting to new operational rules.
IndiGo has been directed to submit a detailed plan addressing crew recruitment, training, and safety assessments. Reports indicate that the airline may have received a waiver from some pilot rest rules, although the Airline Pilots Association of India has warned that any easing of regulations undermines safety.
December, characterized by school holidays and a peak wedding season, has seen IndiGo offer waivers for cancellation requests and accommodations for disrupted passengers. Despite these efforts, social media is filled with complaints regarding a lack of communication and support for stranded travelers, with even diplomats like Singapore's High Commissioner to India sharing their frustrations.
Major airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities have advised passengers to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
