India's travel chaos has worsened after the country's largest airline IndiGo cancelled hundreds of scheduled flights on Friday, leading to widespread disruption across its network. The airline, which has a 60% market share and operates over 2,000 flights daily, is facing a significant pilot shortage attributed to its inability to comply with new crew rostering regulations.
With all IndiGo flights from the capital Delhi cancelled, thousands of passengers are left stranded, exacerbating the issues during an already busy travel season. IndiGo has projected that full operational normalcy will only return by February and has requested temporary exemptions from the new crew rules, which demand longer rest periods and restrict night flying hours.
In an effort to minimize further disruptions, IndiGo plans to reduce its flight operations starting December 8. The government is actively monitoring the situation, expressing dissatisfaction with how the airline has managed the crisis. India's aviation regulator has pointed out that the disruptions are largely due to 'planning gaps' in implementing the new flight duty time rules and has mandated IndiGo to present an immediate detailed plan for crew recruitment and training.
The airline has faced criticism from the Airline Pilots Association of India, which argues that granting any relief on duty timings contradicts the essence of the regulations and endangers passenger safety. Under the new rules, pilots are assigned more rest, notably reducing mandatory night-time landings per week.
Passengers have taken to social media to voice their frustrations over inadequate communication and delays, with reports of individuals stranded at airports without food. Singapore's High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, expressed his disappointment at being unable to attend a staff member's wedding due to the cancellations. Major airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities are urging travelers to verify flight statuses before heading to the airport.
With all IndiGo flights from the capital Delhi cancelled, thousands of passengers are left stranded, exacerbating the issues during an already busy travel season. IndiGo has projected that full operational normalcy will only return by February and has requested temporary exemptions from the new crew rules, which demand longer rest periods and restrict night flying hours.
In an effort to minimize further disruptions, IndiGo plans to reduce its flight operations starting December 8. The government is actively monitoring the situation, expressing dissatisfaction with how the airline has managed the crisis. India's aviation regulator has pointed out that the disruptions are largely due to 'planning gaps' in implementing the new flight duty time rules and has mandated IndiGo to present an immediate detailed plan for crew recruitment and training.
The airline has faced criticism from the Airline Pilots Association of India, which argues that granting any relief on duty timings contradicts the essence of the regulations and endangers passenger safety. Under the new rules, pilots are assigned more rest, notably reducing mandatory night-time landings per week.
Passengers have taken to social media to voice their frustrations over inadequate communication and delays, with reports of individuals stranded at airports without food. Singapore's High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, expressed his disappointment at being unable to attend a staff member's wedding due to the cancellations. Major airports in Delhi, Mumbai, and other cities are urging travelers to verify flight statuses before heading to the airport.
