IndiGo turmoil enters 7th day: Bengaluru sees 127 flights axed, nationwide disruption continues

File photo

The operational crisis at India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, extended into a full week on Monday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and prompting the aviation regulator to issue show-cause notices to the airline’s top executives.

According to airport authorities, the airline cancelled 127 flights at Bengaluru Airport alone on Monday — 62 departures and 65 arrivals. The ripple effect was severe at other major hubs, with Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport reporting 77 IndiGo flights affected and significant delays and cancellations witnessed in Delhi and Mumbai.

The widespread disruption, affecting lakhs of passengers since December 2, has drawn sharp scrutiny from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). As reported by The New Indian Express, the regulator has flagged “significant lapses” in IndiGo’s planning, oversight and resource management, holding it responsible for large-scale operational failures.

In a significant move, the DGCA on Saturday issued show-cause notices to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO-Accountable Manager Isidro Porqueras, demanding an explanation for the breakdown. The deadline for their response was later extended to 6 pm on Monday.

The airline has attributed the meltdown to recent regulatory changes in Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for pilots, which govern rest periods and flying hours. IndiGo maintains that adjusting to these revised norms has constrained its crew scheduling during a period of high demand.

Amid the ongoing turmoil, the DGCA has also made a formal appeal to all pilot bodies for full cooperation as airlines navigate mounting operational strain. The regulator cited a confluence of pressures, including unpredictable weather, peak holiday travel and soaring passenger loads, compounded by the onset of the fog season.

Responding to the regulator’s appeal, the Airlines Pilots Association of India (ALPA India) stated it is prepared to fully support the DGCA and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. However, in a statement, the pilots’ body issued a firm caution, arguing that any rollback of the revised FDTL norms would compromise fatigue protection and, consequently, passenger safety.