India’s domestic aviation sector is witnessing unprecedented turbulence as IndiGo, the country’s largest carrier, struggles with operational disruptions, triggering nationwide flight cancellations, prolonged delays, and a steep surge in airfares across major metro routes. The disruptions, now stretching into multiple days, have left travellers facing record ticket prices, while highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in crew management and regulatory compliance.
Data from booking platforms on December 5 revealed that fares on key trunk routes reached extraordinary levels. Passengers flying Delhi to Mumbai faced non-stop tickets priced at ₹35,952, while a one-stop Air India option crossed ₹51,000. Similarly, Delhi to Chennai bookings reached nearly ₹69,000, and Delhi-Bengaluru fares exceeded ₹40,000 on multiple flights, surpassing even certain international tickets such as Delhi-Dubai at ₹23,000.Industry experts attribute the surge to a combination of IndiGo’s vast network scale and new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) regulations aimed at mitigating pilot fatigue. These norms increase mandatory weekly rest periods from 36 to 48 hours, reduce night landings per week from six to two, and expand restricted night hours. Stricter rostering rules have further constrained crew availability, creating a cascading operational effect that the airline is still attempting to stabilise.
On Friday alone, more than 589 IndiGo flights were cancelled nationwide. Delhi recorded over 220 cancellations, Bengaluru more than 100, and Hyderabad over 90, leading to overcrowding and operational strain at major airports. Airport authorities have issued advisories urging passengers to verify flight status prior to departure, reflecting broader challenges in urban mobility resilience under stressed conditions.IndiGo CEO acknowledged the operational breakdown in a letter to employees, pledging to normalise schedules and restore punctuality. “Our immediate goal is to stabilise operations. Given the size and complexity of our network, disruptions escalate quickly and require coordinated intervention,” the CEO said, while apologising to affected passengers. Industry observers note that full recovery could take several days, contingent on crew availability and regulatory adherence.
The crisis has broader implications for urban mobility, consumer affordability, and equitable access to essential transport services. Experts suggest that enhancing operational resilience, proactive crew management, and improved regulatory frameworks are crucial for sustainable aviation in India’s expanding metro corridors. The episode serves as a stark reminder that domestic air travel infrastructure must balance operational efficiency with passenger welfare and urban connectivity.
