Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has issued a passenger advisory as flight operations steadily resume following IndiGo’s recent large-scale cancellations, which affected over 1,000 departures on Friday. The airport confirmed that services are “getting back to normalcy,” while urging travellers to check flight status before leaving home, signalling a gradual restoration of operations across India’s busiest aviation hub.
The disruption occurred amid IndiGo’s implementation challenges of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which regulate crew duty hours. Civil Aviation authorities noted that IndiGo’s mismanagement of staffing and scheduling led to operational bottlenecks, resulting in severe delays and cancellations across domestic airports. To stabilise services, the Ministry of Civil Aviation granted a temporary abeyance from certain FDTL norms, allowing the airline to bypass stricter night duty regulations until February 10, 2026.
IndiGo’s CEO stated that full normalcy is expected between 10–15 December, while reiterating apologies to affected passengers. The airline’s dominant market share nearly 63 per cent amplified the impact of the disruption, highlighting vulnerabilities in airline operations when high-demand carriers encounter regulatory or logistical challenges. Industry experts emphasised that robust contingency planning and crew resource management are essential to prevent similar disruptions in major urban aviation hubs.The DGCA attributed the disruption to gaps in IndiGo’s operational planning, particularly in night scheduling, while the Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed continuous engagement with airlines to implement the new FDTL regulations. In addition to the temporary exemption, the DGCA withdrew prior rules restricting airlines from counting pilot leave as weekly rest, a measure aimed at easing immediate pressure on the carrier and mitigating passenger inconvenience.
Urban transport analysts observe that large-scale disruptions at critical airports can ripple across urban mobility systems, affecting not only air travel but also ground transport, logistics, and economic activity. “Airline operational failures highlight the need for resilient, sustainable aviation planning,” a senior urban mobility consultant said. “In densely populated cities like Delhi, disruptions can disproportionately affect commuters relying on air connectivity for business or personal travel.”Passenger advocacy groups have called for stronger regulatory oversight and timely communication from airlines, emphasising transparency and compensation mechanisms.
The ongoing IndiGo incident illustrates the delicate balance between regulatory compliance, operational readiness, and public service in India’s rapidly growing civil aviation sector.As IndiGo gradually resumes services, Delhi Airport continues to monitor departures closely, issuing real-time updates to minimise further inconvenience. Authorities stressed that this approach prioritises passenger safety, operational efficiency, and adherence to aviation standards, marking an incremental recovery towards stable air travel in the capital region.
Delhi Airport Issues Advisory As IndiGo Flight Operations Resume After Mass Cancellations
