IndiGo Flights Chaos: Civil Aviation Minister Warns of ‘Necessary Action’ Against Those Responsible for Disruption
New Delhi: The disruption of IndiGo flights has triggered a crisis across Indian airports, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and prompting government intervention. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has taken a strong stance, warning of "necessary action" against those responsible for the widespread flight cancellations and delays. The minister's statement comes as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has attributed the chaos to IndiGo's "misjudgment and gap in planning" in implementing new pilot duty-hour regulations.
For days, passengers have faced extensive delays, cancellations, and a lack of adequate communication at airports across the country. The situation escalated to a point where IndiGo cancelled all domestic departures from Delhi Airport on December 5, 2025. Overall, more than 500 IndiGo flights were disrupted, causing significant inconvenience and distress to travelers. On Friday, 85 IndiGo flights were cancelled at airports in Madhya Pradesh alone. Airports in other states like Jammu and Kashmir, Goa, and Kerala also experienced major disruptions.
The root cause of the problem appears to stem from the implementation of the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations issued by the DGCA. These regulations, which aim to enhance safety by ensuring adequate rest for pilots and crew, came into effect on November 1, 2025. While other airlines adapted to the new rules without significant issues, IndiGo struggled, leading to crew shortages and operational disruptions. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has squarely blamed IndiGo's mismanagement of its crew roster for the chaos. He noted that other airlines, including Air India and SpiceJet, adjusted to the new FDTL regulations without major issues.
In response to the crisis, the government has ordered a high-level probe into the disruptions. A four-member committee has been formed by the DGCA to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the circumstances that led to the widespread operational breakdowns. The inquiry will examine what went wrong at IndiGo, determine accountability, and recommend measures to prevent similar disruptions in the future. The committee is expected to submit its report within 15 days.
Adding to passenger woes, the sudden cancellations and delays of IndiGo flights have also impacted train services, with increased demand for tickets on major routes. In light of this, the Indian Railways has deployed 116 additional coaches in 37 premium trains operating across the country.
IndiGo has issued a public apology to passengers, acknowledging the "serious operational crisis" and confirming the cancellation of all domestic departures from Delhi Airport on December 5. The airline has also offered refunds and accommodation options to affected passengers. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has stated that the airline is working to stabilize schedules and expects normalcy to be restored by December 15, 2025. He anticipated less than 1,000 cancellations on Saturday, December 6.
The Civil Aviation Minister has granted IndiGo temporary relief from certain FDTL requirements to help restore normal operations. This includes a one-time exemption allowing IndiGo to sidestep stricter night-duty and rest-hour rules until February 10, 2026. Despite this, the Airlines' Pilots Association of India (ALPA) has criticized the decision, calling it a threat to safety and a worrying precedent.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on stabilizing flight operations and ensuring that passengers receive the support and compensation they deserve. The government has emphasized that accountability will be enforced, and those responsible for the disruptions will face consequences.
