FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: An IndiGo airlines passenger aircraft taxis on the tarmac at Chhatrapati Shivaji International airport in Mumbai, India, May 29, 2023. REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo/File Photo
| Photo Credit: FRANCIS MASCARENHAS
A spokesperson for Bengaluru airport stated that 73 IndiGo flights had been cancelled on December 4.
At least 150 flights were cancelled and dozens of others were delayed on December 3, airport sources said, leaving thousands of travellers stranded.
What pilots say about disruption
According to ANI, the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) raised concern over the recent wave of flight cancellations across the country, stating that the situation highlights the need for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to consider pilot adequacy while approving airline schedules under the Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS) framework.
In a statement issued on December 3, ALPA India stated: “The situation concerning the recent flight cancellations across India, allegedly attributed to pilot shortage due to new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms, raises significant questions about the airline’s management, regulatory oversight by the DGCA, and market fairness.”
The pilots’ association added, “The core question is whether airlines’ current pilot shortage is due to a failure in planning or a calculated strategy. It is more likely a combination of factors… This situation points to a failure of proactive resource planning by dominant airlines, potentially exacerbated by an effort to pressurise the regulator to dilute the promulgated FDTL norms for commercial gain.”
The association urged the DGCA to take pilot capacity into account while approving schedules. “ALPA India urges the DGCA to actively consider the adequacy of pilots available with an airline while granting slots and approving their schedules in the spirit of transitioning to the recent concept of Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS),” according to the statement.
On December 3, IndiGo issued a statement on the ongoing delays, attributing the disruption to multiple operational factors. An IndiGo spokesperson stated: “We have had several unavoidable flight delays and some cancellations in the past few days due to various reasons including technology issues, airport congestion, and operational requirements.
“Our teams are working diligently to ensure that operations normalise as soon as possible. Furthermore, we are offering alternate flight options or refunds to affected customers, as applicable. We regret the inconvenience caused to our valued customers due to these disruptions.”
The airline’s response comes as Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad witnessed major operational disruptions this week. Several flights were delayed, diverted or cancelled on December 2 due to low visibility and other operational issues.
Airport authorities have advised passengers to check real-time updates with their airlines, according to a report by ANI.
Published – December 04, 2025 10:35 am IST
