Delhi: Air travel across India was thrown off schedule on Wednesday as IndiGo cancelled more than 70 flightsnationwide. Several departures from Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad were hit, leading to long queues and frustrated passengers at major airports.
According to sources quoted by PTI, the cancellations and delays were mainly caused by a shortage of crew members, which disrupted IndiGo’s ability to operate its full flight schedule. Many travellers reported waiting for hours as flights continued to be rescheduled or delayed.
In an official statement, IndiGo confirmed the disturbances. The airline said it faced “unavoidable delays and cancellations due to multiple factors such as technology issues, airport congestion, and operational requirements.”
Officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Hyderabad) also noted that some IndiGo flights were affected due to internal airline-related technical and operational problems. However, the airport clarified that its overall operations remain normal. Passengers were advised to check the latest updates directly with IndiGo’s customer support.
Fresh data from the Civil Aviation Ministry revealed that IndiGo’s on-time performance dropped sharply to 35% on Tuesday across six major airports. In comparison, other carriers performed much better: Air India (67.2%), Air India Express (79.5%), SpiceJet (82.5%), and Akasa Air (73.2%).
A key reason behind the ongoing challenges is the rollout of the new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms. These rules mandate longer weekly rest for crew, increased night duty regulations, and a reduction in the number of night landings allowed per crew from six to two.
Both IndiGo and Air India had earlier opposed the new norms, saying they needed more time to expand their crew strength. After a Delhi High Court order, the rules were introduced in phases. The latest phase, limiting night landings, came into force on November 1.
The regulations were originally supposed to take effect in March 2024, but airlines argued for a slower implementation. IndiGo, which operates more than 2,100 flights daily many of which are at night has been particularly impacted by the shift.
Industry Insight – One Click Travels Shares Impact on Passengers and Connecting Flights
Nikhil Patodia from One Click Travels told us that sudden cancellations like these create major challenges not only for direct passengers but especially for those with connecting flights abroad. He explained that travel agents must quickly rearrange itineraries, rebook seats on available flights, and coordinate with multiple airlines to minimise disruption.
Patodia added that his team closely monitors such operational issues and stays in constant touch with airlines to secure alternatives. “Our priority is making sure passengers don’t miss international connections and receive the fastest possible solution,” he said.
IndiGo continues to advise passengers to arrive early at airports and stay updated through the airline’s app or customer service channels. With the holiday season approaching and tighter crew rules now active, travellers may continue to face delays unless staffing stabilises.