Following several days of widespread flight cancellations, the Government of India has intervened and asked IndiGo to present a detailed plan to stabilise its operations. The review comes amid indications that the airline is facing a shortage of cockpit crew under the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms.
According to reports, IndiGo currently has around 5,000 pilots, but this number is insufficient to meet operational requirements after the updated FDTL rules were introduced. The revised guidelines define stricter limits on night flying, extend weekly rest periods and broaden the definition of “night”, all aimed at reducing pilot fatigue and enhancing flight safety.
A report by businessline noted that IndiGo’s recent disruptions are linked to the airline’s implementation of Phase 2 of the updated FDTL framework, which came into effect last month.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked IndiGo to submit a comprehensive plan outlining its proposed pilot hiring schedule, roster restructuring, training roadmap for new recruits and mitigation measures to prevent further operational issues.
Senior IndiGo executives met DGCA officials and representatives from the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 4 December to discuss the way forward. The government has emphasised the need for more consistent and stable airline operations as the new norms are rolled out.
Get it on Play Store