IndiGo Crisis Grounds Half of India's Domestic Flights
India's aviation sector faces unprecedented disruption as the country's largest airline, IndiGo, struggles with operational challenges that have grounded nearly half of all domestic flights across the nation.
Scale of the Crisis
The crisis has reached alarming proportions, with over 1,000 flights cancelled this week alone. On Friday, more than 100 flights were cancelled in Mumbai and Bengaluru, while dozens more were called off in Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa. All Delhi domestic departures were suspended until midnight, and Chennai operations were halted until 6 pm.
IndiGo, which commands a dominant 60 per cent market share and operates approximately 2,200 daily flights, has acknowledged the severity of the situation. Chief Executive Pieter Elbers has privately indicated that resolving these operational challenges will be far from straightforward.
Regulatory Response and New Flight Duty Rules
The crisis stems primarily from India's implementation of revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), designed to improve pilot fatigue management and enhance flight safety. The new regulations increased mandatory weekly rest for pilots from 36 to 48 hours and reduced permitted night-time landings from six to two per week.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive investigation into IndiGo's handling of the transition. Following emergency meetings with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, the regulator provided partial relief by exempting IndiGo from certain FDTL provisions until 10 February.
"The disruptions have arisen primarily from misjudgement and planning gaps in implementing Phase 2 of the FDTL, with the airline accepting that the actual crew requirement exceeded their anticipation," the DGCA stated.
Economic Impact and Market Response
The operational chaos has triggered severe market consequences. Ticket prices have skyrocketed, with passengers reporting fares of 35,000 rupees for routes typically costing 5,000 to 8,000 rupees. Air India business-class tickets from Hyderabad to Bhopal reached 130,000 rupees, while some Mumbai routes commanded 70,000 rupees.
IndiGo's shares have declined six per cent this week, erasing approximately 16,000 crore rupees in market capitalisation. The airline, which generated $9 billion in revenue last financial year, faces significant reputational damage to its punctuality-focused brand identity.
Cascading Effects Across the Industry
Industry sources indicate that IndiGo's dominance means its operational difficulties create cascading effects throughout India's aviation ecosystem. Other carriers face increased pressure as desperate passengers seek alternative arrangements, leading to broader delays and cancellations across the sector.
Stranded passengers have described chaotic scenes at airports, with inadequate seating forcing travellers to sit on floors using newspapers. Extended delays have disrupted critical personal and business commitments, including wedding celebrations and professional examinations.
Political and Regulatory Oversight
The crisis has attracted parliamentary attention, with opposition members demanding government accountability. Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi raised the matter as an issue of urgent public importance, while Union Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed ongoing government assessment of potential support measures.
The Airline Pilots' Association of India has strongly opposed regulatory exemptions for IndiGo, emphasising the importance of maintaining safety standards despite operational pressures.
Recovery Timeline and Industry Implications
IndiGo has formally advised the DGCA that full operational normalisation is expected by 10 February, contingent on regulatory relief from specific FDTL provisions. The airline must provide fortnightly progress reports and a comprehensive 30-day compliance roadmap.
This crisis highlights broader challenges facing India's rapidly expanding aviation sector, particularly the delicate balance between growth ambitions, operational efficiency, and safety regulations. The outcome will likely influence future regulatory approaches and industry planning across the region.
As India's aviation sector works to restore stability, the IndiGo crisis serves as a stark reminder of how concentrated market power can amplify operational risks across entire industries, affecting millions of passengers and broader economic activity.