IndiGo Airlines’ cancellation of 200 flights due to new crew rostering norms has caused widespread chaos at major airports across India. Passengers faced long delays, missing crew members, and confusion, highlighting the operational challenges the airline is currently grappling with as it implements safety-focused regulations.
Massive Chaos Across Airports
IndiGo Airlines is facing unprecedented chaos after cancelling around 200 flights across India. Passengers at major airports, including Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, experienced long delays, confusion, and frustration. Social media was flooded with reports of passengers screaming, waiting endlessly, and filming the disorder, highlighting the scale of disruption.
What Are the Roster Norms?
The cancellations stem from new crew rostering rules, officially known as Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). These rules are meant to manage pilots’ and crew members’ working hours for safety reasons. However, the sudden enforcement left many flights without available captains or cabin crew, creating operational chaos.
Passenger Struggles
Many travellers shared harrowing experiences. Flights were delayed indefinitely because the captain or first officer was missing. In some cases, cabin crew hadn’t arrived even an hour after the scheduled departure, forcing passengers to wait on the tarmac. The disruption affected travelers heading to weddings, medical appointments, and other urgent commitments.
IndiGo’s Response
IndiGo Airlines apologised for the disruption and stated that the airline is working to stabilise operations over the next 48 hours. The airline cited crew rostering issues, winter schedule adjustments, and adverse weather as the main reasons behind the cancellations.
Nationwide Impact
The airline has been trending online as passengers scramble for updates. Regions with the highest search interest included Andaman and Nicobar Islands, followed by Goa and Delhi, reflecting how widely the chaos has affected domestic travel.
