Airports across India are witnessing long queues and angry passengers as IndiGo faces a major operational crisis. The airline blames this on several factors, including weather and technology issues, but the main cause is the new aviation safety rules.
- Total Cancellations: Over 300 flights in the last 48 hours.
- Daily Impact: About 100 flights are likely to be cancelled today.
- City-wise Impact: Bengaluru may see over 70 cancellations, while Hyderabad faces 33.
- Daily Operations: IndiGo runs over 2,200 flights every day.
Why New Safety Rules Caused Chaos– The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) introduced strict regulations to manage pilot fatigue. These rules change how crew rosters work:
- Pilots now receive extended weekly rest periods.
- The definition of night hours increased by one hour.
- Night shifts for pilots dropped from six to just two in a roster period.
Why IndiGo is Hit the Hardest– IndiGo is suffering more than others because of its massive scale. It operates twice as many flights as Air India daily. Pilot associations claim that the airline followed a “lean manpower strategy” and did not hire enough pilots despite knowing about the upcoming rules.
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Passenger Guidelines for Upcoming Flights– If you are flying soon, follow these steps to avoid trouble:
- Always track your flight status before leaving for the airport.
- Carry snacks, water, and medicines in case you get stuck at the airport.
- Choose refundable plans or flexible date options for new bookings.
IndiGo states that operations will stabilize within the next 48 hours. However, experts urge the DGCA to approve flight schedules only if airlines prove they have enough pilots.
